Everton loan deal longer than previously expected

Amidst talk yesterday of Everton and Anderlecht entering negotiations to extend the loan deal for Nigerian international Henry Onyekuru, Belgian daily La Capitale are now reporting that the term for the contract was actually two years all along, with one stipulation that allows the Blues to get the player after one year.

The loan deal is apparently worth €1.5 million for the Toffees, with €750,000 paid out in the first year and a further €800,000 for the second year. Everton can come and get the player, but it can only be during the small window between May 1 and June 15, 2018. That too comes with added conditions since the player would need clearance from the Football Association and the Premier League in the form of a work permit.

The original reason for Everton sending out the player on loan was concerns that the player had not done enough on an international level to make the work permit achievable. Should he make Nigeria’s squad to the 2018 World Cup this summer in Russia then it certainly gives the Blues a stronger footing in their application, but the club will have to move fast.

Those plans were all put in jeopardy after the speedy winger picked up a serious knee injury and missed close to five months. Onyekuru, who has been targeted by Barcelona and Manchester United in the last year, appears to have completed his recovery unscathed and has featured twice already for the Anderlecht Under-21 side in the last couple of weeks.

Following his appearances this season in the Champions League, he looks to have done enough for the Toffees to apply for special dispensation for Onyekuru, but a spot in the World Cup squad for Nigeria will ensure he makes the criteria for a work permit that’ll allow him to display his talents in the Premier League next season.