Textor swoops to agree rival terms after Everton talks with African international star - report

Everton held talks with Wilfried Zaha over a return to the Premier League but the winger has now agreed terms to join Lyon instead, according to HITC.

The outlet reported on their website (30 August) that the former Crystal Palace star is set to move to the Ligue 1 side on loan from Istanbul giants Galatasaray just a year after leaving England.

But he had talks with the Toffees, former side Palace, and Leicester City before opting for France.

Discussions with Everton are said to have alerted prospective new owner John Textor to his availability, leading to the American to take advantage and “swoop” with Lyon where he is already in charge.

Textor also owns 45% of Crystal Palace which currently represents a barrier to him buying Everton, although Sky News reported on 26 August he now has a pair of bids to sell that holding quickly.

John Textor swoops with Lyon after Everton deal failed

Disappointing as it would have been for Sean Dyche to miss out on a player who proved he can thrive in the Premier League at Selhurst Park it may work in the Toffees’ favour all the same.

The Textor influence is clear as Orel Mangala is already expected to join on loan from Lyon before the transfer window shuts.

And Farhad Moshiri’s latest preferred buyer of the club is also said to be the one who suggested a second signing from the French giants in attacker Ernest Nuamah [TBR Football, 29 August].

Sky Sports’ Alan Myers suggested on 29 August that the Ghanian winger’s arrival is far less certain than Mangala’s but Zaha arriving in France could help facilitate Nuamah’s exit.

Zaha scored 68 Premier League goals as a Palace player and has five in 33 caps for Ivory Coast, but his potential return to the Premier League would have faced tax complications [Standard, 29 August].

Dyche has brought in Jesper Lindstrom and Iliman Ndiaye in attacking areas already, while securing a second loan for Jack Harrison, but he had been after Willy Gnonto from Leeds United for a second time earlier in the window [Caught Offside, 26 July].

In other Everton news, Dan Friedkin is expected to make a return to the takeover picture at Goodison.

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