Everton: Toffees given Sigurdsson blow; Lukaku ignores Chelsea interest; deal for striker off

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According to the Liverpool Echo, Everton’s hopes of signing Swansea City’s influential midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson have been dealt a huge blow today after the 27-year-old has decided to stay and help the Welsh side in their battle against relegation.

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Everton manager Ronald Koeman and Director of Football Steve Walsh are well known to have been long-time admirers of Sigurdsson, but it seems that the midfielder is set to snub a move away from the Liberty Stadium to remain as Paul Clement’s key player in Swansea’s squad.

Sigurdsson scored eleven times last season and is also Swansea’s top scorer so far this term with six goals – including a penalty in their 1-1 draw at Goodison Park back in November.

With the long-term future of Chelsea’s Diego Costa in the balance after the recent China-talk, The Mirror have reported this morning that Antonio Conte could be in line to make a move for Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku if Costa insists on a move over the upcoming summer window.

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Speaking to talkSPORT about the possibility of a return to Chelsea, Lukaku said:

“I am focused on this season and the team. I am not thinking about it. It is a question of performing consistently and delivering on the pitch. We didn’t do that in the first six months of the season. Hopefully a few more players will arrive and add some competition to the squad.”

Lukaku, who spent three years at Stamford Bridge before his move to Everton in 2014, has been the Toffees star-man this season, scoring twelve times in his 20 appearances so far to lead Everton to 7th in the table.

From one striker to another, BBC Sport have reported that Everton’s move for Standard Liege forward Ishak Belfodil is about to be abandoned only a week after getting the go-ahead.

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The deal was close to completion last week, with a £10.4 million price being agreed between the two clubs, yet financial complications over in Belgium have meant that the move is likely to be scrapped completely.

With Koeman’s January signing Ademola Lookman impressing during his debut, scoring in the win over Manchester City despite only being on the pitch for a matter of minutes, it is yet to be seen it the Dutchman will still be in the hunt for another forward option before the current window closes.

Featured Image: All rights reserved by Tim McCloskey.