Everton joy as Lampard secures game-changing forward coup, while ambitious Man Utd move sees major obstacle removed

Everton have reached a full agreement to bring an explosive forward back to England, while an ambitious Man Utd move has received a sizeable boost, per reports.

The Toffees are in desperate need of new firepower as they push to avoid the disaster that would be relegation. Everton currently sit 19th in the table ahead of this weekend’s fixtures. Their tally of 15 goals scored is the joint-second fewest in the league, with only Wolves finding the net less frequently.

The club hasn’t adequately replaced the goals and impact of Richarlison. Neal Maupay has just a solitary goal to his name since arriving, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin is woefully out of form.

As such, Everton began scouring the market for new forwards this month and a high profile name on their radar was Arnaut Danjuma.

The Dutch international, 25, plies his trade for Villarreal and has plundered six goals in 17 matches across all competitions this year. While previously a winger, he’s primarily played up front in Spain.

Danjuma fared even better last term, notching 16 in 34 including six in the Champions League. He’s also proven his worth in England in the past, scoring 17 for Bournemouth in their 2020-21 Championship campaign.

Now, according to Fabrizio Romano, Everton have struck a full agreement to bring Danjuma to Goodison Park.

The striker will join on a six-month loan that does not contain an option or obligation to buy. As such, if Everton wish to turn the move permanent, they’ll have to negotiate from scratch at season’s end.

Romano added Danjuma’s medical is due to take play on Saturday and contracts between the two clubs have already been exchanged.

In what is unquestionably a sizeable coup for Everton, Romano noted clubs from the Netherlands, France and others in England were all beaten to Danjuma’s signature by Everton.

Man Utd move made a touch easier

Another attacker Everton had been exploring a move for was Manchester United’s Anthony Elanga.

The return to first-team training of Jadon Sancho, combined with the rapid rise of Alejandro Garnacho has left Elanga fearing for his game-time.

Everton and Borussia Dortmund emerged as strong contenders to secure a loan for the remainder of the season. However, it was widely reported Elanga, 20, favoured Dortmund if he were to move on.

But in a positive update for Everton, Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg has now ruled Dortmund out of the race.

He tweeted an Elanga loan is ‘no topic for Dortmund’, either via the loan or permanent route.

With arguably the most alluring suitor out of the way, an obstacle has been removed from Everton’s path. That’s not to say a deal is now straightforward, however.

Indeed, the Daily Star recently reported Erik ten Hag is no fan of sending Elanga to Goodison Park. The Dutch boss is reportedly of the view Everton’s current strife – both on and off the field – may do more harm than good for Elanga.

It’s unclear whether Everton will continue to pursue a move now they’ve reached an agreement with Danjuma too.

But if they do, Dortmund at least now appear to be out of the picture.

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