Everton are reportedly closing in on signing highly-rated Belgian midfielder Orel Mangala on loan from Lyon.
After representing Belgium at various youth levels, Mangala made his senior international debut under Roberto Martinez in 2022 and has since earned 19 caps for his country.
The 26-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at the French club from Nottingham Forest, scoring twice in eight Ligue 1 appearances.
Lyon handed the Belgian a permanent contract last month and included a release clause that is believed to be in the region of £17m.
Mangala set to undergo medical this morning
According to The Mirror, Mangala arrived on Merseyside on Thursday night and is set to undergo his medical this morning ahead of his loan move to Goodison Park.
The report adds that the 26-year-old is set to spend the 2024-25 season in the Premier League on a deal that does not include an obligation for the Toffees to buy the player at the end of the term.
It is understood that Fiorentina were also interested in signing the Belgian as a potential replacement for Sofyan Amrabat, who is expected to leave the club before the deadline.
Lyon owner John Textor entering an exclusivity period to acquire Everton is believed to have supported the Merseyside club in their negotiations for the midfielder.
Mangala's current contract with the Ligue 1 outfit runs until the summer of 2028.
Calvert-Lewin to remain at Goodison beyond transfer deadline?
Everton manager Sean Dyche has revealed that the club have not received any new offers for striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
The 27-year-old attacker is in the final year of his contract at Goodison Park and has so far failed to reach an agreement with the club over a new deal.
Newcastle were said to be pursuing a move for Calvert-Lewin ahead of the deadline but are unwilling to match the Toffees' asking price for the England centre-forward.
When asked by the media if any new offers had been received for Calvert-Lewin, Dyche responded: "No, we're just carrying on as we always have done with Dom and all the other players, trying to stay open with our dialogue, that's it." body check tags ::
