Everton are set to sign the Nigeria forward Toni Payne and the Spain midfielder Inma Gabarro, both from Sevilla. The duo are understood to be on the verge of completing their moves to the Women’s Super League club, where they were highlighted early in the year as being key targets for this summer’s transfer window. They have been with Sevilla since 2018 and 2019 respectively.
The WSL transfer window officially opens on 24 June and will remain open until 13 September, before the new season begins on 21-22 September.
Born in Alabama, Payne represented the United States at youth international level but switched her allegiance to Nigeria and was part of the Super Falcons squad that reached the knockout stage of last summer’s Women’s World Cup.
The former Ajax player, 29, featured in all 30 of Sevilla’s Spanish top-flight league fixtures last term and scored six goals, while Gabarro also netted six league goals from 29 league appearances.
Gabarro, 21, was a star of the 2022 Under-20 World Cup, where she scored eight times to win the Golden Boot. She made her senior debut for Spain later that year, scoring on her debut against Argentina.
Everton announced this month that the forward Toni Duggan will leave the Merseyside club when her contract expires on 30 June. Capped 79 times by England, the former Manchester City, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid player scored three times in 14 appearances last term.
Discussing Duggan’s departure, the chief executive officer of Everton Women, Alan McTavish, said: “Everyone at Everton thanks Toni for her service and commitment to the club. From breaking into the senior team as a 16-year-old, to winning the FA Cup, she can be very proud of her contribution to Everton. We wish Toni all the best for the future.”
Everton finished eighth in the WSL last season, a comfortable 17 points clear of relegation.
