Everton FC’s Quest for Midfield Reinforcements: The Pursuit of Maxence Caqueret and Orel Mangala
As the summer transfer window draws to a close, Everton FC has been actively seeking to bolster its midfield options. The departure of Amadou Onana to Aston Villa for £50 million has left a void in the team’s engine room, and manager Sean Dyche is keen to bring in fresh talent to strengthen his squad.
According to French journalist Fabrice Hawkins, Everton made an approach for Lyon midfielder Maxence Caqueret, but the move failed to materialize. Caqueret, a promising young player, was reportedly not interested in joining the Toffees, and the club has since turned its attention to signing Orel Mangala, another Lyon midfielder.
The pursuit of Caqueret and Mangala highlights Everton’s desire to enhance its midfield capabilities. With the club preparing to move into its new stadium for the 2025/26 season, avoiding relegation is a top priority, and bolstering the squad with quality signings is crucial to achieving that goal.
Mangala, a Belgian midfielder, has impressed during his stint in the Premier League with Nottingham Forest, and his signing would be a significant coup for Everton. The deal is reportedly in the final stages, with Lyon happy to loan him out to the Premier League until the end of the season.
Everton’s interest in Caqueret and Mangala is not surprising, given their impressive performances in Ligue 1. Caqueret, in particular, has been instrumental in Lyon’s success, and his addition would have provided a significant boost to Everton’s midfield.
However, with Caqueret not responding to Everton’s advances, the club has had to look elsewhere. Mangala’s signing would be a welcome addition to the squad, and his experience in the Premier League would be invaluable.
Prospective owner John Textor’s connections with Lyon have been instrumental in facilitating the deal for Mangala. Textor’s involvement has also raised the possibility of further deals between the two clubs before the transfer deadline.
As Everton prepares for the new season, the signing of Mangala would be a significant statement of intent. The club’s desire to strengthen its midfield options is clear, and the addition of quality players like Mangala would be a major step towards achieving that goal.
In conclusion, Everton’s pursuit of Maxence Caqueret and Orel Mangala highlights the club’s desire to enhance its midfield capabilities. While the move for Caqueret failed to materialize, the signing of Mangala would be a significant coup for the Toffees. With Textor’s connections with Lyon potentially facilitating further deals, Everton’s transfer business is far from over.