One thing that became very obvious during the first half of the Premier League season was that Everton could desperately use an infusion of pace and talent out on the wings. The Blues were recently in reckoning for Aston Villa winger Jaden Philogene, but it looks like he’ll be going to Ipswich Town.
Now it looks like Everton are in the running for another one of their summer targets in Olympique Lyon winger Ernest Nuamah, with media sources and club insiders claiming the Blues have made an approach for the 21-year-old and the two sides are close to an agreement.
The Ghana international has made 16 appearances this season for Lyon, including five in the Europa League where he has one goal and one assist. He hasn’t made much of an impression in his 400 or so minutes of league action with no goals or assists this season, but was more effective last year with 7 goals and 3 assists in 39 appearances last season.
Nuamah had actually completed a medical with Fulham on Deadline Day in the summer transfer window, but at the last minute the transfer fell through with the player refusing the move. The two clubs had agreed a £16 million transfer, but the winger wanted to stay at the Ligue 1 side and play in the Europa League. The youngster was so against leaving Lyon that he burst into tears during his medical with Fulham officials in France, and even went missing at one point.
That saga was finally resolved with Lyon owner John Textor — who was interested in purchasing Everton at one point before The Friedkin Group completed the takeover — sending the player a message apologizing for forcing him out.
However with Everton coming calling now, it’s not clear whether the player will be willing to accept a move this time. Lyon are doing very well in the Europa League sitting in fourth place in the new Swiss-style format, and are in fifth place in the league. The Toffees meanwhile are mired in yet another relegation battle and have just replaced manager Sean Dyche with former boss David Moyes who favours the 4-2-3-1 format that Nuamah usually plays right winger in at Lyon.
The Toffees have a very good relationship with Lyon, having just bought Jake O’Brien from the French side this summer as well as picking up midfielder Orel Mangala on loan from them in the same window. Lyon’s financial issues mean they are always willing to sell while the Blues have used up all their loan slots and will be forced to buy if they want to bring in reinforcements for new manager Moyes this month.
Wide play had been desperately poor for Everton under Dyche. Wingers and fullbacks, tasked with defensive responsibilities that kept them from making effective runs up front, left whoever is playing sole striker isolated. Getting some real pace with end product will be a big help with Jack Harrison mostly ineffective while Iliman Ndiaye has been almost negated in a wide role. Jesper Lindstrom has played well in spots, but has been inconsistent and there’s been no word yet on when Dwight McNeil will return.
