A Champions League club are now advancing in talks to sign an Everton player, according to Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
It’s been an active week on the transfer front for Evertonians, with Jarrad Branthwaite now likely to remain at Goodison Park.
Furthermore, the Toffees are reportedly closing in on a deal for Aston Villa midfielder Tim Iroegbunam.
The former West Brom academy graduate has featured sporadically under Unai Emery this season after breaking through into the first team.
The 20-year-old, however, isn’t the only piece of news to emerge between the two clubs in recent days.
Fabrizio Romano shares the latest on Lewis Dobbin’s future
Taking to X on Friday morning, Romano has revealed that Villa are also advancing in talks with the Toffees over a move for wingerLewis Dobbin.
He wrote: “Aston Villa are advancing in talks to sign Lewis Dobbin from Everton, as expected.”
The Italian transfer guru also suggested that Iroegbunam’s move to Goodison Park is now a done deal.
Romano added: “Meanwhile, Everton have signed Aston Villa midfielder Tim Iroegbunam for fee around £9m as reported – all set to be sealed.”
Swap deals could become the norm in turbulent financial times
It’s strange to see clubs in discussions over two deals at the same time.
But there’s perhaps good reason.
After Everton’s struggles with PSR during the 2023/24 season, looking to be more astute in the transfer market is a must.
Offloading a player to make room for another signing feels like a move which could become commonplace this summer.
Villa are also battling to meet financial restrictions, hence their desire to sell Iroegbunam.
The young Englishman could prove to be an intelligent piece of business for the Toffees moving forward. Who knows, in five years, £9million could look like an absolute bargain.