Amadou Onana, poised to be Everton's biggest signing of the summer, is at Goodison Park this evening to watch his new side face Chelsea in the Premier League.
Despite David Moyes’ West Ham United having agreed a fee with Lille for the midfielder earlier this week, the Blues moved swiftly to hijack the deal with the Belgian international expressing his preference to come to Merseyside rather than east London.
Everton are understood to be paying £33.5million for the player who does not turn 21 until later this month.
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With less than 10 minutes remaining of the first half, Onana’s towering 6ft 5in frame was spotted in the Main Stand, walking down the stairs close to the directors’ box along with members of his entourage and he smiled and clapped back after being applauded by Blues supporters.
The sight of Onana will no doubt be a huge boost for Evertonians, whose side lost Ben Godfrey to injury earlier in the game.
Everton, who have signed James Tarkowski, Ruben Vinagre and Dwight McNeil this window, are also pursuing a deal for another midfielder with their discussions to bring Idrissa Gueye back from Paris Saint-Germain at an advanced stage while director of football Kevin Thelwell has enquired at his former club Wolverhampton Wanderers for their out-of-favour captain Conor Coady.