Everton have beaten their Premier League relegation rivals to the loan signing of Villarreal attacker Arnaut Danjuma, according to reports.
There has been plenty of interest in the Netherlands international after it was made clear he would be allowed to leave Villarreal on loan until the end of the season.
The 25-year-old previously played for Bournemouth, making 14 Premier League appearances in 2019-20, when he failed to register a single goal contribution.
The Cherries were relegated that season and Danjuma then thrived in the Championship, netting 15 and providing seven assists in 33 second-tier games before scoring two in two in the play-offs.
Danjuma’s fine form in 20-21 earned him a move to La Liga club Villarreal.
The Spanish outfit had just won the Europa League and backed that up by reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League, losing to Liverpool.
Danjuma was excellent in the Champions League last season, scoring a brilliant six goals in 11 matches, including the crucial goal in Villarreal’s shock last-16 victory over Bayern Munich.
After such a solid campaign, it is a surprise to see him linked with a move to a relegation fodder in the Premier League.
However, the forward’s form has dipped this term. He has two La Liga goals in ten matches and has only played one minute in the Spanish top flight since the season resumed after the World Cup.
It was reported last week that Everton are interested in Danjuma after claims he was in England trying to push through a return to the Premier League, channeling his inner Peter Odemwingie.
On Thursday evening, Telegraph journalist Sam Wallace claimed Danjuma has ‘chosen’ Everton ahead of Nottingham Forest, Southampton and Bournemouth.
And in a report posted in the early hours of Friday morning, Wallace explained that the Toffees are hoping to complete the signing by the end of the week.
It is said that Dutch club PSV Eindhoven were also keen after accepting a bid from Chelsea for winger Noni Madueke.
Danjuma is actually attracted to ‘the challenge that Everton, and the club’s situation, currently presents’. Mad b***ard.
At 3am, Fabrizio Romano – who clearly runs off one hour of sleep every day – said Everton are in an ‘advanced position’ with the next hours ‘crucial’.
The Toffees have booked the player’s medical, however, and are clearly optimistic a deal will be struck.
Frank Lampard’s side had been reportedly interested in signing Danny Ings, however, the Aston Villa striker appears to be close to joining West Ham.
Another forward to be linked with a move to Goodison Park is former Fulham and Celtic player Moussa Dembele.
The Lyon striker has been frequently linked with a move to the Premier League over the years and French outlet Foot Mercato reckon Everton and Aston Villa are ‘keen’.
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