This week there’s been gradual reports from France pushing Orel Mangala closer to an Everton move. Wednesday saw claims that a loan deal had been agreed with Lyon.
That agreement would have seen the midfielder join the Premier League on loan for the rest of the season, with a buying option at the end. The option was as high as €40m, but given it wasn’t an obligation that didn’t provide too many concerns.
What certainly did provide concerns is Gianluca Di Marzio reporting on Thursday morning that Fiorentina were trying to snatch the Belgium international away from Everton’s clutches.
That situation has now progressed, and the Italian journalist reports Mangala is ‘very close’ to signing for La Viola.
Everton aren’t giving up, but according to Di Marzio ‘the player’s will is clear’ and he wants to sign for the Serie A side. This one isn’t dead yet, and Fiorentina still need to finalise an agreement with Lyon.
Occasionally the Italian media overstate players’ desires for a move to Serie A, and hopefully for Everton this is one of those occasions.
