Jesper Lindstrom has already said goodbye to his Napoli teammates ahead of an expected move to Everton, Gazzetta dello Sport reports.
According to the Italian outlet’s website on 22 July the Danish winger “all in likelihood” ended his time at the Serie A side a day earlier when he pulled the players together at the end of training and was hugged and applauded.
He is currently in talks with the Toffees on personal terms and the club are said to expect a signature within a few days .
A loan deal has been agreed with Napoli containing a permanent option worth €23million [£19.4m].
Antonio Conte’s side are already acting as if he is gone as they are reportedly lining up Benfica’s David Neres to replace him with the “liquidity” they expect to get from the Lindstrom deal.
Napoli ace set to play for Sean Dyche at Everton
Getting another new signing through the doors at Goodison Park would be hugely welcome after the depressing developments of the past week.
Dan Friedkin’s takeover collapse has meant a return of the concern and uncertainty which characterised most of the past two years.
The sale of Lewis Dobbin and purchase of Tim Iroegbunam in separate deals with Aston Villa illustrated how departures bring immediate benefits while the cost of signings can be amortised years down the line so incoming deals may be under less threat than exits.
But free transfers and loan signings should be safe either way and it appears the Toffees’ “top target” Lindstrom [Fabrizio Romano, 12 July] is on the brink of joining Jack Harrison to fill the two slots for the latter.
The 24-year-old’s move to Naples last summer coincided with chaos at the club as they comprehensively failed to defend their Scudetto and his first goal for the Italians only came during the current preseason.
But if he can return to his Eintracht Frankfurt and his Brondby form under Dyche he could be a very exciting addition.
