Everton could oversee a late exit in the January transfer window, according to reports – with young midfielder Tim Iroegbunam thought to be on the radar of Serie A giants Lazio with just under a week left in the transfer window.
The Toffees have had a quiet January window so far, with their only permanent exit being goalkeeper Harry Tyrer to Cardiff City, whilst young midfielder Harrison Armstrong has been their only incoming after returning from Preston North End.
But a late flurry of activity can never be ruled out in the final week of the Premier League transfer window, and that could see Iroegbunam depart in the final days of the window, with Lazio keen on bringing him to Italy.
Report: Everton Could Sell Iroegbunam as Lazio ‘Submit’ £15m Offer
The report by Football Insider states that Lazio have ‘submitted’ an offer worth up to £15million to sign Iroegbunam from Everton after his battling performances as a squad player under David Moyes this season.
Ireogbunam signed for the Toffees in the summer of 2024 in what was essentially a swap deal for youngster Lewis Dobbin, and after a promising loan spell at Queens Park Rangers, he’s stepped into the Premier League relatively well.
11 starts and six substitute appearances have seen Iroegbunam become a ‘dominant‘ part of Moyes’ squad, recording three assists to help the Toffees go 11th in the table – where they could leapfrog clubs into seventh with a win over Leeds United on Monday night.
However, the side from the Italian capital have targeted Iroegbunam as they look to improve their midfield ranks in the coming weeks. Everton now have a decision to make on whether they keep the Aston Villa academy graduate, given he’s been a huge part of their squad in the last six weeks, whilst other Premier League clubs are monitoring his situation.
Everton signed Iroegbunam for around £9million, so The Friedkin Group would be making a profit on the midfielder, though whether they would want more than £15million is a different question.
Everton Got the Better Deal Between Themselves and Aston Villa
Everton undoubtedly got the better part of the trade deal that saw the swapping of Dobbin and Iroegbunam between Villa and Everton.
Dobbin, who has just turned 23, spent time in League One at Derby County before getting into the Everton team, though he only scored one goal in 20 games for the Toffees, a late clincher against Chelsea.
He’s since spent time at West Bromwich Albion, Norwich City and Preston North End, but with Iroegbunam having had 18 months of top-flight games, it’s clear to see that the Toffees got the upper hand in their Hill Dickinson Stadium revival.