Everton close in on cut-price Ernest Nuamah signing amid update at Lyon’

Everton have moved a step closer to signing Ernest Nuamah in the summer transfer window following the latest update out of Lyon.

In the wake of the takeover of the club by the Friedkin Group back in December, a busy January transfer window had been hoped for by fans at Goodison Park.

In the end though, Everton failed to meet expectations of “multiple” signings, as only Charly Alcaraz joined the club, signing on loan with an option to buy from Flamengo.

However, there were several other players who had been looked at as potential additions for the Toffees in that period.

Everton missed out on Ernest Nuamah deal

Over the course of the January window, Everton were heavily linked with a move to sign Nuamah from Lyon, potentially in a deal with the same structure as Alcaraz’s, having also been close to a move last summer while the Ligue 1 side’s owner John Textor was eyeing his own Toffees takeover.

In the end no deal would materialise, with the winger instead remaining with his current side in France for the time being.

Even so, the chances of the 21-year-old making the move to Merseyside in the future are still far from over.

Pete O’Rourke told Football Insider last month that Everton “could revisit” a deal to sign Nuamah when the transfer window opens again at the end of this season.

Now it also appears as though the chances of the Toffees completing that deal have increased markedly in the wake of the latest news to emerge from Lyon.

Lyon need to raise funds amid winger transfer interest

Earlier this season, Lyon were provisionally relegated from the French top-flight for financial reasons, after running up debts of over €500million.

That had left the French giants needing to improve their financial situation considerably if they are to avoid dropping into the second-tier in France.

As a result, a number of players were offloaded during the January transfer window, despite Nuamah’s move to Everton not being completed.

According to the latest update from L’Equipe though, Lyon still need to raise more money if they are to save themselves from being relegated due to their debt.

The club currently sit fifth in the Ligue 1 table, and have reached the quarter finals of the Europa League where they are due to face Man United.

David Moyes signing hinges on Champions League qualification

There is therefore a chance that Champions League qualification could help get them out of trouble, but if they fail to achieve that, more player sales will likely be needed to raise funds needed to beat the drop.

In that eventuality, the door will have opened for Moyes’ side to make their move for Nuamah once again, with Everton expected to “attack” the transfer window this summer, and the Ghanian expected to be a candidate to be sacrificed from the Lyon squad if more exits are needed.

With a contract in France until the end of the 2027/28 season, he is a player they can use as a sellable asset when they need funds.

However, the pressure on the French side to raise that money in such a short space of time, means the Toffees could still force this deal through for a reduced price.

Attacking reinforcements ought to be a priority on the blue half of Merseyside this summer, and getting this deal done for a cut-price fee would help cover that while leaving funds available for other deals.

This latest update on Lyon’s fight against relegation for financial reasons may therefore have given Everton an opportunity to sign Nuamah that they will surely not want to turn down.