Orel Mangala Transfer: Dyche's Update on Everton's Interest

Orel Mangala Transfer News

It’s been a poorly kept secret that Everton have been interested in Olympique Lyon midfielder Orel Mangala, and are looking to bring the player in on loan for the rest of the 2024-25 season. The negotiations were confirmed by multiple media sources a couple of days ago, with a suggestion that the player could be headed over to Merseyside on Wednesday for a medical.

That failed to materialize however, with suggestions that Italian Serie A side Fiorentina had entered the negotiations with a view to procuring the player themselves. It does look like that 'hijack' attempt has been evaded though and the player will be coming over from France tomorrow on transfer deadline day to complete a medical and the rest of the transfer paperwork.

Dyche on Mangala's Premier League Experience

Speaking during his pre-match press conference earlier today, manager Sean Dyche was asked about the Toffees’ interest in Mangala. To no one’s surprise, Dyche once again restated his long-held belief about playing footballers with Premier League experience, even though Tim Iroegbunam has been a standout for the Blues with minimal minutes played for Aston Villa.

Background on Orel Mangala

Mangala only joined OL in January from Nottingham Forest for an astonishing €11.7m for a half season loan, who then made it permanent in July for another €23.4m. The 26-year-old played just eight times in the league for Lyon with 4 starts, plus another four French Cup appearances, including coming off the bench in the final. The central midfielder also has 19 caps for the Red Devils, including four appearances at the Euro 24 competition this summer next to former Evertonian Amadou Onana in a 4-2-3-1 formation.