Everton winger Yannick Bolasie is set to leave Goodison Park for the second time this season, with reports suggesting the DR Congo international is close to joining Anderlecht, much to the joy of many fans.
The Toffees paid Crystal Palace what now looks like an audacious £25million, per the BBC, for the winger back in 2016, as the 29-year-old never managed to recreate his dazzling displays at Goodison Park.
Injuries also took their toll on the 35-cap international, who missed more than a year with a cruciate ligament rupture between December 2016 and 2017, and it ultimately marked the end of his worthwhile time as a Toffees ace.
Once Bolasie returned, he did manage to establish himself under Sam Allardyce and missed only four games before the season drew to a close, but his performances showed he had lost his edge.
During his Championship spell this season with Aston Villa, injuries again crept in but the more evident issue was the quality of his game, and likely played a part in why he left Villa in the hopes of more regular first-team football.
Rather than finding that at a Premier League or Championship club, the Belgian First Division appears to be his next home, with Sky Sports News reporting that a deal is close for the DR Congo to join Anderlecht on loan.
There will not be an option to buy in the deal, however, meaning Bolasie will return to Merseyside in the summer, much to the displeasure of these fans…
I suppose it’s difficult selling damaged goods, Sandro, Schniederline, Bolasie etc all on massive wages which other clubs are unwilling to pay, can only sell if someone wants to buy which it appears they don’t so its a cost saving exercise on the wage bill until we can sell
— Matthew Clarke (@Matthew85081679) January 31, 2019
If bolasie goes again y not sell him on permanent transfer its not like we can sign anyone even if he does leave…
— James Evans (@Efc12Evans) January 31, 2019
Just an example of how toxic some of these contracts are: Bolasie is on the books for 2.5 more years at 70k/week ~£9mil left in salary. Another club would have to offer him 38.5k/week over 4.5 years or 49.5k/week over 3.5 years just to match what he is already guaranteed with us! https://t.co/YlG90RCLSA
— Trigger (@Trigger_1878) January 31, 2019
No way Anderlecht will pay all of Bolasie’s £70k a week but better than nothing
— Will (@WAJG_96) January 31, 2019
Please say it’s a permanent deal Kristof
— The Toffee Blues (@EvertonNewsFeed) January 31, 2019
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— The Toffee Blues (@EvertonNewsFeed) January 31, 2019
Loaning players out to clubs that won’t be able to afford to buy him or pay his wages.
— MrKJBanks (@KeJaBanks) January 31, 2019
Marcel Brands racking up a major phone bill to a random Belgian number, begging them to take Bolasie
— Connor Bennett (@ConnorBennett14) January 31, 2019
Bolasie to Anderlecht? We never getting a decent fee of them
— El Pivote (@elpivoteftbl) January 31, 2019
Having Mirrallas and Bolasie leave the club on a permanent deal would be the deadline day of my dreams
— Everton Nigeria ???????? (@EvertonNaija) January 31, 2019