Report: Everton could make U-turn on £12.8m deal after Ancelotti, Moshiri & Brands hold talks
According to Paul Joyce of The Times, Everton could make a U-turn on their deal to sign Djibril Sidibe after Carlo Ancelotti, Farhad Moshiri and Marcel Brands held talks in Germany.
The Toffees manager, owner and director of football had discussions over player recruitment, but there’s reticence over signing Sidibe on a permanent deal due to the uncertain futures of existing players.
Seamus Coleman has two years remaining on his deal at Everton and is unlikely to be offloaded this summer as he’s still a valuable player the first-team. Jonjoe Kenny could fight for a starting place next season when he returns from his successful loan spell at Schalke 04.
Ancelotti will be spoilt for choice with Coleman and Kenny next season, so it may not make sense to trigger Sidibe’s £12.8m release clause. His performance in Sunday’s 3-2 defeat to Arsenal will be a worry too – the 27-year-old was exposed at right-back on a number of occasions.
He was caught ball-watching when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was put through on goal to score Arsenal’s second of the game and when the 30-year-old headed home Nicolas Pepe’s cross.
It wasn’t the best way to convince Everton he’s worth signing, so time will tell if Sidibe’s loan is turned permanent.