English Premier League side Everton have reached a verbal agreement with Ligue 1 club Lyon over the transfer of midfielder Aurel Mangala, according to a new report from Sky Sports Germany's Plettenberg. The Belgium international will join Everton on a season-long loan with an optional buyout clause worth €40 million.
Mangala is reportedly expected to undergo a medical with Everton on Wednesday to complete the final step of the process before his transfer. The 26-year-old midfielder joined Lyon on loan during the winter transfer window and spent half the season there. In July, Lyon officially bought out Mangala, paying a transfer fee of £20 million (€23.4 million), while Nottingham Forest retained a 10 percent share of the player's second transfer. Currently, Mangala's contract with Lyon is valid until June 2028.
The addition of Mangala will undoubtedly add new energy to Everton's midfield. As a midfielder with excellent skills and accurate passing, he is able to provide the team with stable ball control and organization in the game. In addition, Mangala also has excellent defensive awareness and blocking ability, and can contribute to the team in the defensive end.
For Everton, the loan deal not only gives the team a strength boost, but also provides them with an opportunity to evaluate Mangala's performance at the end of the coming season and decide whether to buy him out. If Mangala performs well for Everton, the team has the option to exercise the buyout clause and keep him permanently on the team. If his performance falls short of expectations, the team can also choose not to exercise the buyout clause, thus avoiding an unnecessary financial burden.
