According to reports in France, Everton have been handed a potential boost to their hopes of signing Orel Mangala on a permanent
Everton have potentially been handed a transfer boost. According to reports in France, the Blues’ chances of signing Orel Mangala on a permanent basis have improved due to the ongoing financial crisis at Lyon.
The Ligue 1 giants are in hot water with the DNCG – the financial watchdog of French football – at the moment due to their fiscal issues. They confirmed Lyon will be provisionally relegated next season and banned from making signings should their situation not improve.
As a result, there is every chance that Lyon will need to sell players in the January and summer window. Foot Mercato (h/t Sport Witness) believe that is good news for the Blues.
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In their report on the situation, it’s said ‘Everton are rubbing their hands’ at the prospect of getting Mangala on the cheap and that the club’s decision not to include an option to buy in the loan deal is ‘turning out to be a brilliant idea.’
The Belgium international only joined Lyon permanently in the summer, having signed on loan from Nottingham Forest last January. Mangala has been steady for the Blues so far and has largely impressed in his eight appearances for the club.
Lyon’s owner John Textor, who also recently admitted an interest in buying Everton, dismissed the idea that his team could be relegated.
“We will not be relegated, there is no chance,” he said at a press conference on Saturday. “I know that our situation makes some sceptics. I prefer the Premier League system which punishes clubs differently.
“We have resources that go well beyond the club. Even if we fail on all our global initiatives, of €700 million, our owners will not let the group sink. There is no chance of being relegated.”
