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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Andy Hunter, Ben Fisher and Ed Aarons

Transfer roundup: Everton loan Lindstrøm, West Ham close on Durán

Jesper Lindstrøm
Jesper Lindstrøm’s deal includes the option of a permanent transfer to Everton for £19m next summer. Photograph: Everton FC

Everton have signed the Denmark international Jesper Lindstrøm on a season’s loan from Napoli. The deal for the attacking midfielder includes the option of a permanent transfer for €22.5m (£19m) next summer.

Lindstrøm, 24, had been tracked by Everton before he joined Napoli for €30m from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer. He had two productive campaigns in the Bundesliga, helping Eintracht win the Europa League in 2022 and playing in the Champions League the following season, but struggled to make an impact in Italy as Napoli endured a turbulent season. The former Serie A champions will receive a €2.5m loan fee from Everton, who will cover all of Lindstrøm’s wages.

The former Brøndby winger, who has 16 caps, said: “I’m a fast player with a good technique and a good shot, so I think I can add speed on the counterattacks and I can play in ­several positions – as a No 10, as a winger. I like to score goals, provide assists and create chances. I hope I can do that here – I know I can do that here.”

He added: “I feel like all of the experiences I’ve had so far have readied me for this moment. I’ve played in a few different leagues now, I’ve played international football and in the Champions League and Europa League. I feel like I’m ready. This is a season for me to come back on track. I think this is a very good fit for me and I’m ready to show why I should stay here.”Lindstrøm becomes Everton’s fourth arrival of the summer after the Aston Villa midfielder Tim ­Iroegbunam, the Marseille forward ­Iliman Ndiaye and Jack Harrison’s return on loan from Leeds. His signing, along with that of Ndiaye, suggests there could be a change of approach from Dyche. The manager was often frustrated by his team’s profligacy last term.

Dyche said of Lindstrøm: “He is hungry and eager to succeed with us, and that’s a strong starting point as we look to add more productivity to our attack.”West Ham are expected to secure the signing of the Aston Villa striker Jhon Durán for a fee of £35m. Villa rejected a deal worth £32m including the West Ham youngster Lewis Orford, an 18-year-old midfielder.

Villa are happy to sanction the sale of the Colombia forward, signed for £18m from Chicago Fire in January 2023, with the player not regarded as an integral part of Unai Emery’s plan.

Emery is prioritising a move for Atlético Madrid forward João Félix after allowing record signing Moussa Diaby to join Al-Ittihad in a €60m (£50m) deal. It is unclear if Villa deem a permanent move viable for Félix, who spent the second half of the 2022-23 season on loan at Chelsea. The 24-year-old spent last season on loan at Barcelona.

West Ham’s technical director, Tim Steidten, is pushing to get a deal for Durán over the line. West Ham and Chelsea both expressed an interest in Duran in the last transfer window.

Ryan Sessegnon has completed an “emotional” return to Fulham on an initial two-year deal, with the option to extend for a further 12 months.

The full-back has joined Fulham on a free transfer after he was released by Tottenham at the end of last season following an injury-hit five years. “It’s amazing to be back. Emotional, as well,” he said. “It will always be home for me. It had the feeling it was meant to be, coming back here, so I’m delighted to get it done.”

A spate of hamstring issues disrupted Sessegnon’s time at Spurs but he will hope to rebuild his career at Fulham. Now 24, he broke through at Craven Cottage as a teenager in 2016, going on to make 120 appearances, scoring 25 goals.

Crystal Palace are expected to confirm the signing of Ismaïla Sarr after agreeing a €15m (£12.7m) deal with Marseille. The Senegal ­forward, who has been tracked by Palace since he was at French club Rennes, is in ­London to complete his medical before signing a four-year deal.

Sarr was Watford’s record signing in 2019 when he joined from Rennes for about £27m and moved to Marseille last year. Palace had an approach rejected last week but moved quickly to secure the 26-year-old as they attempt to replace Michael Olise, who joined Bayern Munich in June.

Chelsea are moving closer to ­agreeing a deal for the Denmark Under-21 goalkeeper Filip Jörgensen. ­Villarreal rejected an offer of €20m but ­Chelsea have returned with a bid and are understood to be hopeful that they can make him their seventh summer signing.

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