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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Connor O'Neill

Everton fans have new reason to forgive Arnaut Danjuma over transfer u-turn

A look on social media when any Everton story breaks is always an eye-opener.

Opinions are likely to be varied. Some supporters will have positive things to say, others less so, but every fan has the right to say what they think.

The first big tale of the week to gain traction was when Everton dropped their squad list for their pre-season training camp in Evian. The reaction was far from positive.

Not about who had been included, but more around the fact that only 14 senior players were making the trip, although it should be remembered that some members of the first-team squad, including Seamus Coleman and Mason Holgate, have stayed behind due to injury, and James Garner and Jarrad Branthwaite have been given time off after helping England under-21s to European glory at the weekend.

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But the fact the Blues have what can only be described as a paper-thin squad raised concern amongst supporters. The group is now weaker than when the final whistle against Bournemouth at the end of May blew.

To put it simply, Everton need new additions, and they need them fast. The club cannot afford another shambolic transfer window like they did in January.

After back-to-back battles to avoid relegation to the Championship, the club is in need of reinforcements, especially in the attacking areas of the pitch. Everton cannot afford to gamble on top-flight status by neglecting the forward line again.

Plenty of attackers have been linked with a move to Merseyside this summer, with one of them being Arnaut Danjuma.

The Netherlands international had been due to sign for the Blues during the January transfer window. However, Tottenham Hotspur hijacked the deal, and following a swift round of talks, the winger agreed to move to the capital on loan from Villarreal.

Villarreal had agreed a £27m buy option with Spurs should they decide to sign him on a permanent basis this summer, but the Premier League club decided against triggering the option they had, meaning Danjuma returned to the Estadi de la Ceramica following the expiry of his loan spell last month.

But the former Bournemouth man is not expected to stay at Villarreal this season, with another departure very likely, either on loan or on a permanent basis. The ECHO understands that Everton are one of a number of clubs, including Eredivisie champions Feyenoord, who have expressed an interest in signing Danjuma this summer.

Sources have told the ECHO that there is no bad blood between the two sides despite Danjuma’s decision to pull the plug on a deal six months ago. Back in January, the uncertainty around the club and the sacking of Frank Lampard, plus the chance to play in the Champions League, were the three main factors behind Danjuma’s decision to head to Spurs.

However, the reaction to the news that Danjuma would be interested in a move to Everton this summer was mixed. In some ways, that was to be expected.

Some supporters clearly believe the former Bournemouth man made his bed back in January and he should lie in it. The fact that he went on to endure a miserable time at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was entirely of his own making.

Some, as well, cannot forgive and forget. The way Danjuma, in the eyes of some fans, gave the club further problems during a crucial transfer window was far from ideal.

In an alternate reality, the 26-year-old could have arrived at Goodison Park in January and played a leading role in helping the Blues climb the table, and no one would have been nervously looking over their shoulder. Instead, Everton were left fighting for their Premier League status right up until the final day of the season.

But, as things stand, the Blues could well find themselves in another battle to avoid the drop this season. Which is why those who believe it is time to forgive and forget are correct.

Everton need all the help they can get if they are to avoid another relegation battle, and in the shape of Danjuma, they could have a player who just two seasons ago lit up the Champions League with an array of impressive displays. Quite simply, Danjuma has a lot of attributes that would improve Sean Dyche's side.

"Let’s be real. We’d take Barmby back at this stage," was the verdict of one fan on Tuesday night. That take might seem a tad dramatic, but one look at the squad of players currently out in Evian, and you can see where they were coming from.

And that is why Everton supporters have no option but to forgive and forget what Danjuma did back in January.

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