Sean Dyche is set to become Everton manager while Anthony Gordon is closing in on a move to Newcastle United as a turbulent week comes to a dramatic end.
Dyche is expected to be confirmed as Frank Lampard's successor in the coming days and will immediately begin work to lead Everton out of the relegation zone. It is anticipated he will be ready to take training at Finch Farm next week as the first team prepare for the home game with Arsenal.
Gordon is not expected to be among that squad, however, after talks over a move to the North East reached an advanced stage on Friday afternoon. A fee in the region of £40m is understood to have been agreed between the clubs.
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Neither deal has been officially confirmed but both represent breakthroughs on the two major crises that engulfed Everton this week. The week began with Frank Lampard still holding the role of Blues manager but news of his dismissal was of little surprise when it broke on Monday afternoon. It was widely accepted the 44-year-old was undermined by serious problems he had inherited upon his appointment last January but a run of one win in 14 games made his exit inevitable. Former Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa emerged as the favoured candidate of majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri and flew into the UK from Brazil to engage with club officials. But Dyche was always considered a frontrunner and is now expected to be announced as the new Blues boss in the coming days. Everton had been keen to hire a replacement for Lampard this week with the hope of giving them plenty of time to prepare for Arsenal and to liaise with director of football Kevin Thelwell over transfers.
With just days left of the January transfer window, Everton are yet to bring in a new signing but the club's ability to do business looks set to be strengthened by the sale of Gordon. The 21-year-old academy graduate was one of few bright sparks last season as he emerged from the academy to play a key role in the fight against relegation. But Gordon has found it hard to make an impact, albeit in a struggling team, this season. Despite a strong relationship with Lampard, factors including illness, a change in formation and the form of Demarai Gray combined to limit his opportunities following the World Cup break. He was an unused substitute in his final game, even as Everton chased goals in the defeat at West Ham United.
After the players were given Monday off, Gordon then missed the next three days of training. His absence on Tuesday was said to have been authorised but his failure to attend Finch Farm on Wednesday and Thursday hinted that he may not have seen a future with his boyhood club. He was at Finch Farm on Friday but is now expected to travel to the North East for a medical as a move to Newcastle enters its final stages. Everton entered the transfer window with those behind the scenes acknowledging the need for two forward players. Four weeks into the window they are yet to secure an arrival and Gordon is now set to depart. But with financial constraints having been central to the lack of business so far the deal, should it be completed, may present Thelwell and Dyche with a late opportunity to strengthen the squad before Tuesday's deadline.
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