Everton transfer news - New FFP charge claim, Assane Diao admired, Jesse Lingard considered

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David Ornstein on chances of Conor Gallagher (eventually) signing for Everton

Conor Gallagher, has in the past, and certainly when Frank Lampard was in charge, been linked with a move to Everton.

And it appears that, despite becoming a regular under new Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino, he could still be on his way out of Stamford Bridge, with Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United said to be interested.

But according to the highly respected David Ornstein, Everton will not be a potential destination for Gallagher. He told the Vibe With Five podcast: “Sometimes it just comes down to economics and they’ll have something to think about in January but maybe they won’t. It depends on what comes forward.

“People have rightly pointed out that Tottenham retained an interest in him. They tried to sign him in the summer window, and they may come back again but to go to that level that I mentioned around £60million Tottenham are going to need to shift some significant players to raise the money for it.

“Newcastle have been linked in the past but their financial fair play situation makes that tricky.

“Everton I don’t think Conor Gallagher wanted to go there in the past and couldn’t see it even if they could pay for it so it’s just one definitely one to watch.”

Nottingham Forest enlisted leading sports lawyer amid FFP fight

Nottingham Forest have enlisted a leading sports lawyer as they attempt to avoid any Premier League charge for breaching the competition's profit and sustainability rules, writes The Telegraph.

The Times reported earlier this evening that Forest are "seen by experts as being most at risk" of breaching the financial rules.

And the Telegraph are now reporting: "Nottingham Forest have enlisted leading sports lawyer Nick De Marco as they attempt to avoid any Premier League charge for breaching financial regulations.

Forest will discover later this month if they are to become the third top-flight club charged with breaking the Profitability and Sustainability Rules [PSR], following Everton’s 10-point deduction last year and Manchester City’s alleged breach.

After signing 43 players since winning the Championship play-off final in May 2022, Forest are sailing close to the wind though sources insist they are confident of avoiding sanctions.

De Marco, a KC with Blackstone Chambers, has been appointed to argue their case and has established an impressive record dealing with football, and especially Financial Fair Play."

'Concerns' Everton could be hit with new Premier League profit and sustainability rules charge

The Times are reporting that there are "concerns that Everton could face a second charge in consecutive seasons" of breaching the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules.

And the report adds that Nottingham Forest are also in danger of breaching the rules.

Everton became the first club to be punished under Premier League profit and sustainability guidelines when they were handed a 10-point penalty in November. That sanction related to the financial period ending in the summer of 2022, for which the Blues were adjudged to have exceeded loss limits by £19.5m. The club has since appealed against the penalty.

And now The Times are reporting Everton could be charged again. The newspaper's chief sports reporter, Martyn Ziegler, writes: "Premier League clubs will learn in the next two weeks if any will face charges for new breaches of financial rules, with Nottingham Forest seen by experts as being most at risk.

"Forest are considered to be sailing close to the wind because of their heavy spending while in the Championship and since winning promotion, and there are also concerns that Everton could face a second charge in consecutive seasons of breaching profit and sustainability rules (PSR).

"Under a new system brought in by the Premier League for this season, charges for straightforward breaches will be fast-tracked and dealt with by early April, with any points deductions applied to this campaign. Everton were charged last season but had a ten-point penalty imposed in November, which they have appealed against.

"The new rules meant all 20 clubs had to submit accounts for 2022-23 by December 31 and any charges will be announced by January 14. A club will have two weeks to respond to a charge and then a hearing by an independent commission must be concluded by April 8. Appeals will have to be completed by the end of the season.

"Under the Premier League’s PSR, clubs can make a maximum loss of £105 million over a rolling three-year period, or £35 million a season. If a club has been in the EFL during those three years, the amount of losses allowed are even smaller. Forest would be limited to losses of £61 million: £13 million for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons when they were in Sky Bet Championship, plus £35 million for last season.

"Forest made a loss of £45.6 million in 2021-22, when they were promoted, and £15.5 million the season before. In both years, the club spent double the amount on wages that they earned in turnover. Although promotion to the Premier League will have boosted Forest’s income by about £90 million, the club spent heavily on transfers after promotion and their wage bill will have rocketed too.

"One legal expert with experience of Financial Fair Play cases told The Times that he expected another club apart from Everton to be charged."

Read here for the full story.

Our Everton FC correspondent, Joe Thomas, published a special report earlier today, on this subject.

Everton admire Assane Diao as transfer plan outlined

According to Sky Sports, Everton are doing due diligence if money does become available, amid their well-documented financial problems.

They have reported that a winger and another centre-back are thought to be a priority and one of the names mentioned is Real Betis' Assane Diao.

The Spanish-Senegalese attacker is 18, 19 in September, and reportedly on the radar of Brentford. This week, Mundo Deportivo reported that Thomas Frank's side offered €25million (£21m) for the forward.

Lyon eye Premier League raid including Everton's Arnaut Danjuma

The Daily Mail's Simon Jones has reported that Lyon want and Said Benrahma.

The speculation surrounding the Blues loanee is not exactly new but could be a hint into their options in the transfer market.

According to the report, Benrahma has interest from within London from neighbours Fulham.

Everton want to keep Danjuma but parent club Villarreal want assurances over his first team opportunities for the second half of the season.

Ben Godfrey eyed as AS Roma defensive option

Italian outlet Corriere Dello Sport have named Ben Godfrey as an option for AS Roma as Jose Mourinho looks to bolster his squad.

The website claims that Roma are working to a budget and could be forced to sell some of their players to make room for a defensive addition to resolve the problems.

With the financial constraints, CdS have reported that they cannot spend more than €1.5m between the salary and cost of the operation with Tiago Pinto attempting to sign Bonucci as well as Theate, Kherer and Kwior.

However, they claim that Godfrey is on the radar of Roma.

Everton enquire about Liverpool midfielder Fabio Carvalho

According to Rudy Galetti, Everton were one of three clubs to enquire about Liverpool attacking midfielder Fabio Carvalho.

The Reds youngster was recalled from his disappointing loan at RB Leipzig after he was consigned to three starts in 15 appearances.

Liverpool have rejected permanent approaches from Premier League clubs, it has been reported elsewhere, but the ECHO reported this week that plans are underway to sanction another loan until the end of the season.

Everton could sign Jesse Lingard on a short-term deal

Everton could offer Jesse Lingard a Premier League lifeline as they hunt for January additions.

That is according to talkSPORT who have reported that the Blues are weighing up a move for the free agent.

Lingard has been clubless since he was released by Nottingham Forest and the 31-year-old rose to prominence at Manchester United until his bitter exit at the end of the 2021/22 season.

Lingard trained with Steven Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq in a bid to earn a move back into professional football but couldn't secure a deal.

The outlet has claimed that Everton could be on the horizon and could offer a short-term deal until the end of the season.

Wayne Rooney sacked by Birmingham City

Wayne Rooney has been sacked by Birmingham City.

The former Everton striker disappointing tenure comes after a 3-0 defeat at Leeds United.

Rooney replaced Eustace at the beginning of October, with City sitting in sixth, but after two wins from 15 he has been relieved of his duties.

In a statement on the official club website, Birmingham said: "Birmingham City has today parted company with Manager, Wayne Rooney, and First Team Coach, Carl Robinson.

Despite their best efforts, results have not met the expectations that were made clear at the outset. Therefore, the Board feels that a change in management is in the best interests of the Football Club.

"The Club’s Board and management are fully aligned and will continue to drive transformation and take bold steps to rebuild Birmingham City into the organisation its fans and community deserve.

"The Board would like to place on record their sincere thanks to Wayne and Carl for all of their efforts."

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Wilfried Gnonto looking at Leeds United exit after Everton interest

Wilfried Gnonto could be available for £8.6million in January, it has been claimed.

Everton were interested in the tricky Italian winger during the summer but couldn't break down Leeds United's resolve.

However, Gnonto has struggled to cement a starting berth in Daniel Farke's side which has led to limited opportunities, six starts in total, in their push for a Premier League return.

Italian outlet Il Romanista claim that the winger is looking to move away from Elland Road again.

Danjuma decision

It would appear Everton may have a tricky decision to make over Danjuma.

Lyon have been linked with a move for the forward, who has seemingly been unable to earn the trust of manager Sean Dyche.

However, if he was to leave it would deplete Everton's already slim attacking options even further and place further workload on the likes of Dwight McNeil and Jack Harrison.

Good morning!

Greetings, Toffees.

It's January and therefore, whether you think Everton will make signings this summer or not, there are transfer rumours!

Fun and fantasy line-ups await.

Let's go...