Marcelo Bielsa flew into London for face to face talks with Everton owner Farhad Moshiri, as the search for a new Goodison boss reached its endgame.
We can reveal that Bielsa chose to travel from Brazil for a meeting in person with the billionaire businessman, after warming to the idea of replacing sacked Frank Lampard during several phone conversations. But the club has also spoken at least twice to former Burnley manager Sean Dyche, who is said to have impressed with his clear-headed assessment of the struggling Premier League team’s position, and the battle for survival.
It leaves Moshiri with the task of deciding between the two candidates in the next 24 hours, as he desperately attempts to navigate Everton away from the threat of relegation which has descended ominously on Goodison Park. He will speak to both men again before making his decision, in a process that is eerily reminiscent of Lampard’s appointment almost exactly a year ago, when he replaced Rafa Benitez on the eve of the January transfer deadline.
Back in 2022, Lampard faced off with Portuguese coach Vitor Pereira, who provoked demonstrations amongst Everton fans when Moshiri seemed to favour him during a lengthy interview process. Both Bielsa and Dyche have been assured there will be funds available to make signings before the window closes, and it seems the sale of wantaway young forward Anthony Gordon will facilitate that.
The club confirmed on Thursday that Gordon had taken an unauthorised absence from training for the past two days, after travelling to London to meet Moshiri in person for talks over his possible sale on Monday. He is understood to have finally returned to Liverpool on Thursday, but the club are still to be informed whether he will report for training at the Finch Farm complex on Friday.
Angry fans have made clear they will be happy to see England U21 star Gordon leave the club after his conduct, and Moshiri and his Director of Football Kevin Thelwell are now conducting negotiations with Newcastle.
It is understood the initial Goodison valuation was £55m, but the north east club have dismissed that figure, and it is thought a deal could be struck that would eventually rise to around £40m with add-ons.
That would offer the prospect of a couple of last gasp signings before the window closes on Tuesday, but would leave little time for the incoming boss to make key transfer decisions. One player who is staying at Goodison is young midfielder Amadou Onana, despite apparent interest from Chelsea and Arsenal.
The Belgium international, only joined in the summer, and the Blues have made clear he is not for sale, with the 21 year old seen as one of the foundations for the future.
