Fabrizio Romano has dropped a promising transfer update on Everton’s chase for Aston Villa star Anwar El Ghazi…
What’s the story?
Writing on Twitter, The Athletic’s David Ornstein initially said: “Everton have approached Aston Villa to sign Anwar El Ghazi. No agreement for 26yo#NEDwinger but#EFCknow valuation & talks continue over permanent/loan. Not linked to#AVFCLucas Digne pursuit which is advancing positively but not done.”
Then, later on Wednesday, Romano delivered the news Toffees fans will have been waiting for.
He said: “Everton are set to sign Anwar El Ghazi from Aston Villa. Deal at final stages, medical tests in place too. Last details to be completed in the next few hours.#EFCEl Ghazi was discussed into Digne talks as revealed few days ago. Separated deal. Digne will join Villa today.”
Fans will be buzzing
While the exit of Lucas Digne is something that might irk Everton fans given his quality – he’s supplied an impressive 20 assists in 127 games for the Toffees from left-back – the arrival of El Ghazi would add some real strength out wide.
As The Athletic’s Everton correspondent Gregg O’Keefe said: “Benitez has been keen to add another right-sided wide player to his squad since the summer, and the possibility of adding El Ghazi on loan was presented to him on Tuesday.
“Alex Iwobi’s absence, the winger is playing for Nigeria at AFCON, means an already light squad is one lighter, so the idea of turning to the Villa man as a temporary solution could be appealing.”
Demarai Gray has already proven that signing a player with Premier League experience can be a real help, especially given Everton’s current plight in the top-flight – the former Leicester man has been one of the few shining lights this season for the Toffees with five goals and two assists in 17 league games.
And in El Ghazi, they would be getting someone who was actually Villa’s second-top goal-scorer last season with 11, that despite playing just 37 games and not all of them being starts.
Romano’s promising transfer update on the Dutchman is sure to have Everton fans buzzing.
Meanwhile, Benitez could form a deadly duo with this Serie A star…