Frank Lampard will be backed in the transfer market to replace Richarlison after Everton agreed a deal to sell their talisman to Tottenham for a deal worth £60million.
A week of tortuous negotiations between Spurs and Everton finally reached a conclusion on Thursday morning but only after the Toffees rejected what they considered a ‘derisory’ written offer of £40million at 4pm on Wednesday. They had already knocked back a proposal that would have included Anthony Gordon, who is regarded as a critical part of Lampard’s rebuild.
Negotiations are understood to have become increasingly tense between Daniel Levy and Bill Kenwright, with the latter increasingly frustrated at attempts by his Spurs counterpart to low ball Everton on their most saleable asset.
In the end, a £60million deal works for all parties, with Spurs getting a key target of Antonio Conte’s while Everton are now able to arm Lampard with a sizeable fund to shape a squad that needs major surgery after last season’s brush with relegation.
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As reported in i last week Richarlison, who had his Tottenham medical in Brazil, where he is currently on holiday, had indicated to the club that he wanted to leave to play Champions League football.
The timing of the deal means that Everton are now able to include the sale in the 2021-22 financial figures, which gives them much greater wriggle room to re-invest in the transfer market. Had a deal been done after July 1, it would have had a major impact on what Lampard could spend.
But Everton sources have downplayed the idea that the club had to sell to avoid Premier League penalties for breaching financial sustainability rules. The club has been working with the league to stay within those parameters after racking up big losses over consecutive seasons.
While losing Richarlison is a big blow, the club are now set to keep Dominic Calvert-Lewin at the club in the face of interest from Newcastle and others. And Everton are set to step up efforts to secure players capable of increasing the club’s goal threat.
But i can reveal that a deal for Tottenham midfielder Harry Winks will not be pursued by Lampard after the Everton manager did extensive due diligence on the England international.
Instead, they will concentrate on targets elsewhere – with the club having made a pitch to Christian Eriksen, the Denmark international who is considering where to play next after his successful stint with Brentford.
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Bissouma transfer shows Tottenham are doing everything they can to keep Conte happy14 June, 2022Chelsea’s Connor Gallagher is a player Lampard likes but whether the Blues will sell is another matter. He has just returned from a successful spell at Crystal Palace, where he earned an England call-up, and early indications are that he will be part of Thomas Tuchel’s plans for next season.
Whether a move to Everton might appeal is another matter.
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