Everton transfer news - Amadou Onana wanted, Dele talks, 777 Partners latest

Goodnight, Blues

That brings us to the end of today's Everton live blog.

We will be back tomorrow with coverage of the Chelsea game...

Dele disagreement

Everton have reportedly turned down an offer from Tottenham Hotspur to reduce the £10m fee Everton are due to pay once the midfielder reaches 20 appearances for the club.

Dele has to date featured in 13 games for the Blues and seven more appearances would see Everton forced to pay £10m.

A report by the Times has claimed Spurs have offered to reduce the fee to £8m, though this would involve the number of appearances needed to trigger the payment also being lowered.

Sheffield United earn first win under Wilder

Chris Wilder this afternoon claimed the first win of his second spell as Sheffield United manager, beating Brentford 1-0 at home.

This result has moved the Blades to a total of eight points, ensuring they are now two points behind Everton.

The Blues have the chance to move further clear of the relegation zone should they register a win against Chelsea tomorrow afternoon.

Nevin fancies Everton chances against Chelsea

Former Everton winger Pat Nevin is anticipating a positive result for the Blues tomorrow afternoon when taking on Chelsea at Goodison Park.

Sean Dyche's side came out on top against Newcastle United on Thursday evening and will be looking to back up this win with another three points on Sunday.

Sharing his view on how he expects the game to play out, Nevin told BestGamblingSites: "I don't actually enjoy this fixture as it involves two teams that I love. I hate to see either of them lose! Everton need the win more at the moment, and you'd have to back Everton on this one.

"Everton have been very impressive this season and they have such a small squad. They can't afford to have any injury problems at all. They're on seven points as of now with a game in hand. They're only two points behind Luton, and, if they win against Newcastle, they'll only be nine points behind Chelsea! Even with a points deduction.

"I think that's astonishing. It's one the craziest things in the league - the craziest being Manchester United only trailing City by three points! That's the madness of the Premier League and that's why we love it.

"Chelsea and Everton are two teams who have suffered. Everton may look as though they have far fewer points, but there's not too much between them at the moment.

"The Premier League has a few bogey teams. One of them is Newcastle, and another one is Everton. They're so powerful at home. Chelsea have only won three of their last nine meetings with Everton, and they'll know that Goodison is always a tough place to go. I've been there a few times this season and it's always been rocking.

"Villa Park is another one of those stadiums. The spirit that comes from the Everton fans is always so powerful, even when they lose.

"I'm going to go with a draw, but I'd back Everton if I had to pick a winner. That's purely down to the fight they've shown under Sean this season."

Have your say

Everton seek assurances from Sky over broadcaster's coverage of club and fans

The ECHO understands that Everton have written to broadcasters Sky to gauge their editorial position in relation to the club.

It is believed the club have specificially highlighted concern over the tone of coverage of the club and its fanbase since the points deduction.

The cumulative impact of the issues has left the club and some of its backers worried neither Everton nor its fans are being given a fair hearing as it battles the most severe points deduction in Premier League history.

Read the full story HERE.

Jarrad Branthwaite stance

According to Football Insider, Everton will reject any advance from Tottenham Hotspur to sign Jarrad Branthwaite in January.

Spurs are desperately in the market or a central defender however the Blues will tell their Premier League rivals their man is not for sale at any price.

Mauricio Pochettino has one Everton concern

Chelsea's up-and-down form has certainly handed Mauricio Pochettino plenty of questions to answer this season. Quizzed about the challenge of Everton this weekend it appears Argentinian is preparing a game plan to counterract Everton's physicality.

"We need to be more aggressive and try to avoid conceding chances like corners or wide free-kicks," he said. "We need to be clever in the way we are going to work and try to stop them. In football, it’s the way you approach the game, the attitude and then being clever, trying to avoid giving the possibility to the opponents to use their strengths."

One consistent trait of Chelsea of late has been conceding from set pieces - they have done so in their last four matches. Everton also boast one of the tallest squads in the league against Chelsea, who are towards the smallest.

Pochettino added: "We need to improve. Conceding in this way, maybe I am not showing too much emotion, but I am really upset. We need to work much, much better in these situations. It is both organisation and desire. For me, we need to stop the crosses. Because after if it is ‘Oh it’s not my problem because the opponent crossed’ then for the defensive line it is so difficult to defend these type of situations."

What really happened in Everton and Newcastle United bust-up

Wondered what exactly went down between the Everton and Newcastle players at full-time on Thursday Night? Well, it was nothing more than "handbags" says James Tarkowski.

In the immediate aftermath of the full-time whistle both groups were involved in a tussle with the Blues vice-captain and Joelinton dragged away by team-mates and coaches.

Now Tarkowski has explained his side of the story.

Read the full story HERE.

Chelsea injury boost

According to various media outlets, Chelsea have been boosted in recent days by the return of summer signing Christopher Nkunku to first team training.

This weekend's match may come too soon - Mauricio Pochettino at least remained coy on the matter. Via football.london he said: "Still assessing day by day, see tomorrow. I don't believe that he will be involved but we need to assess day by day."

The Frenchman was the Bundesliga's joint-top goalscorer last season before moving from Leipzig to Stamford Bridge for £52m. In pre-season he scored three before suffering the injury that has kept him out of action so far this season.

Paul Merson's confident prediction

The feel-good factor as a result of on the pitch activities at Goodison Park seems to extend far and wide as Paul Merson predicts only a confident victory over Chelsea this weekend.

After Thursday's 3-0 win over European qualification chasers Newcastle on home soil, the pundit can't help but feel Mauricio Pochettino's men are walking into a similar trap tomorrow.

"Everton are a much better team away from home, but I think they will beat Chelsea this time around," he told Sportskeeda. "Mauricio Pochettino’s side are missing something, I can’t quite point my finger at it. They did well against Man City but were absolutely blown away by Newcastle, particularly in the second half.

"Manchester United also got the better of them, so it’s not been an easy few weeks for Chelsea. I’ve never seen a team with such high-quality players give the ball away as much as Chelsea did against Manchester United, so things aren’t going well for them at the moment.

"I’d be shocked if Chelsea won this game. Everton are creating enough chances, but they haven’t put many of them away. However, I think they’ll do enough to secure a comfortable win this weekend."

Merson's final conclusion was that the match would end 3-1 in Everton's favour.

777 Partners latest

According to the Times, 777 Partners may slow down with their financial loans to the club if their supposed takeover drags on.

So far the US company has loaned more than £100m while still waiting on approval for the deal.

They are hoping they get just that before the end of the month, with no indication they would be prepared to offer any funds beyond January.

Seamus Coleman fitness update

Sean Dyche last night provided an injury update on Seamus Coleman after the defender was forced off during the second half.

It remains to be whether or not the right-back has sustained a setback that is set to keep him on the sidelines once again.

Speaking about the Republic of Ireland star after last night's match, Dyche said:

He has a minor situation, we think, which is unfortunate but that can happen, he has been out a long time. It's great to have him back, he wore the armband with pride like he does."

Barcelona to move for Amadou Onana?

Barcelona are understood to be plotting a move for Everton midfielder Amadou Onana as they search for "a new Yaya Toure."

A report by Mundo Deportivo explains the La Liga giants "really like" Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes and Monaco's Yousuf Fofana, adding that Onana is another individual who has "attracted the attention" of Barcelona.

"The last player who has attracted attention is Amadou Onana (22 years old), pivot for Everton and the Belgian national team who stands out for his height and his great display thanks to his 1.95 height. His contract ends in 2027. Another of the midfielders who 'controls' the scouting area is Ederson dos Santos (Atalanta), a Brazilian of whom there are good references in the sports area."

Good morning, Blues!

Stayed tuned for Saturday's Everton agenda, which includes:

Barcelona are reportedly eyeing a move for Everton midfielder Amadou Onana, who has impressed since moving to Goodison Park last summer.

Blues boss Sean Dyche has also provided an update on Seamus Coleman after the defender was substituted off during the second half of Thursday's win over Newcastle United.