EXCLUSIVE: Andre Ayew is set to fly to the UK in the next 24 hours a with Everton looking to complete a free transfer… but there is NO guarantee he will join the Toffees – with the club under fire after botched deadline day
- Everton are looking to seal a free transfer for Andre Ayew after leaving Al Sadd
- He is set to land in the UK but there are no guarantees he will sign for Everton
- Toffees are under fire having missed out on Arnaut Danjuma and other signings
Andre Ayew is expected to arrive in England in the next 24 hours after receiving a £2.5million golden handshake freeing him to return to the Premier League.
However, there are no guarantees that the former Swansea and West Ham star will – as expected – join Everton with rival top-flight clubs having registered an interest. Ayew’s expected switch to Everton is currently rated at 50/50.
The Toffees are underfire from supporters after a botched transfer deadline day that saw them miss out on a number of targets as the relegation threatened club finished with no new signings during the January window.
Ex-Swansea forward Andre Ayew is jetting into the UK as Everton look to seal a free transfer
New boss Sean Dyche missed out on a number of targets during a difficult deadline day
Indeed, owner Farhad Moshiri pledged to sign a striker in an interview last month.
But Everton could yet deliver on that vow as Ayew prepares to arrive in England for formal discussions over a move to Goodison Park, but they face a fight for his services.
The versatile forward is understood to have held preliminary conversations with Toffees chiefs, including sporting director Kevin Thelwell, over a potential move to Goodison Park.
Everton have considered offering Ayew, whose brother Jordan plays for Crystal Palace, a deal until the end of the season.
Ayew is a free agent meaning he can still join Everton despite the transfer window closing.
He can still sign Ayew on a Bosman after he left Al Sadd – but there is no guarantee he will join
The Ghana legend joined Qatari side Al Sadd in July 2021, signing a two year deal with an option for a further 12 months which could have taken him to the end of next season.
The 33-year-old has played a key role for Al Sadd since his arrival scoring 22 goals in just 38 games since his arrival, helping the club win the league and cup in his first season.
Ayew – who has scored four goals in his last five games for the Qatari champions – needed to play just five more games to trigger the 12 month extension in his contract.
However, the forward is keen to explore a return to European football and reached an agreement with Al Sadd to pay him the remainder of his existing contract.
Ayew’s contract at Al Sadd was worth £5million per season after tax.
Everton made a late attempt to sign Kamaldeen Sulemana before he joined Southampton
The Toffees were also dealt a blow this month when Arnaut Danjuma agreed to join before Tottenham hijacked the deal at the last minute
The forward is currently in the Middle East but is expected to sweep into England shortly to discuss a potential return to the Premier League.
Ayew shares a close relationship with Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper following their time together at Swansea. Cooper may be tempted into a reunion with Ayew.
Everton fired blanks in their attempts to sign a new forward on during the closing days of the January window.
They tried to hijack Southampton’s move for Rennes attacker Kamaldeen Sulemana despite the fact the 20-year-old had already agreed a move to St Mary’s.
They failed to sign Ismaila Sarr from Watford. They saw late enquires for Crystal Palace forward Odsonne Edouard and Jean-Philippe Mateta rebuffed.
Last week Arnaut Danjuma reneged on an agreement to join Everton, instead deciding to sign for Tottenham.
The possibility of landing Ayew on a free transfer provided Everton with renewed hope of reinforcing their attacking options for the relegation run-in – but his signing is no longer a forgone conclusion.
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