Everton need to pay £12m to reach agreement for ‘outstanding’ defender – report | OneFootball

Everton could be looking to sign a new defender either in the January transfer window or next summer.

The Friedkin group are expected to get the Everton takeover approval within the next week, and Sean Dyche will hope that he will be given funds to sign new players.

The Toffees are one of the clubs showing keen interest in signing Sierra Leone centre-half Juma Bah.

According to journalist Alan Nixon, the 18-year-old defender prefers a move to the Premier League.

Manchester City and Newcastle United are also interested in securing his signature but they could face competition from French side Lens who have opened the bidding for the “outstanding” defender.

The French side are willing to pay the £12 million asking price for the defender, who is currently on loan at Spanish club Valladolid.

Everton need to sign new defenders

The Toffees have 13 players who will be out of contract next summer, and it is a big headache for the club.

One of the players who is almost certain to leave is defender Michael Keane. The former Burnley defender has impressed under Dyche this season, but he is unlikely to be given a new contract at the club.

Paul Joyce of The Times recently reported that the Toffees defender is set to enter talks with several foreign clubs in January. He can also move to any English club for free next summer.

Jarrad Branthwaite was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United during the summer transfer window, but the Red Devils couldn’t reach an agreement with the Toffees.

The prospective new owners will try to keep hold of their star player beyond the summer, but an exit cannot be completely ruled out.

A move to the Premier League could appeal to Bah, but the young defender would want assurances over regular game time.