Everton registered interest in signing when negotiating for Toffees man – Club ‘closed door’ on January exit

Last summer, Everton signed Arnaut Danjuma on a loan deal from Villarreal and he’s struggled for regular game time this season.

The winger has made 20 appearances [nine starts] in all competitions, scoring two goals in the process. Lyon wanted to offer him an escape route in January and their owner, John Textor, confirmed an offer was made to the 27-year-old.

Danjuma is still at Everton and Foot Mercato provide a background on why the transfer didn’t take shape in the winter market.

The Netherlands international was ‘seduced’ by the possibility of joining the Ligue 1 side, after being convinced by his compatriot and former Lyon man, Memphis Depay.

Lyon had to convince the La Liga side and the Toffees to secure the deal, but the latter ‘proved difficult’, as they wanted to bring in a replacement before letting Danjuma leave.

Everton had made progress on one track, and also showed interest in Lyon centre-back Jake O’Brien. They had indicated the same to the French club, but they ‘closed the door’ on the 22-year-old Irishman’s exit in January.

Lyon ended up signing Malick Fofana and Saïd Benrahma on loan from West Ham United, and Foot Mercato claim it’s not ruled out for them to return for Danjuma in the summer.