Anthony Gordon, who is a January transfer target for Newcastle, is not currently training with Everton’s first team at Finch Farm.
The forward missed training on Tuesday with an expected absence, as did Amadou Onana. But when Onana returned to practice on Wednesday, Gordon was not present.
Newcastle have held talks over a move for Gordon, with the Magpies looking to replace Chris Wood, who joined Nottingham Forest last week.
Although he is not a like-for-like replacement, Newcastle see the 21-year-old as a player who can operate in a number of positions across the front line.
Newcastle were rebuffed with an inquiry for Gordon in the summer but have maintained an interest. It is believed that an offer of around £40m could tempt Everton into selling.
Gordon could be available for around £40m
Complicating the move somewhat is Everton’s managerial situation: Frank Lampard was sacked on Monday and any new starter may want to keep Gordon.
During the summer transfer window, Chelsea held high-level talks with Everton over Gordon’s availability.
He was then seen as one of Thomas Tuchel’s top targets and Chelsea were willing to pay £60m to bring him to Stamford Bridge.
Gordon has 18 months left on his current contract at Goodison Park.
Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol says former Burnley boss Sean Dyche and current Brentford manager Thomas Frank are both on Everton’s shortlist of managers to replace Frank Lampard.
The news about Gordon comes after Tottenham made a late bid to sign Villarreal striker Arnaut Danjuma on loan until the end of the season.
Danjuma was expected to sign for Everton on a similar deal after an agreement was reached at the weekend, but Spurs appear to have hijacked the move.
The addition of the versatile Dutch striker would increase Tottenham’s options in attack, with Heung-Min Son, Dejan Kulusevski, Richarlison and Lucas Moura all suffering injury problems this season.
Jamie Carragher says Everton fans still want change at board level, but Frank Lampard can’t complain about being sacked as the club’s manager.
Danjuma spent two years playing in England with Bournemouth and, while starring in the Championship, struggled in the Premier League, failing to score in 14 top-flight appearances.
The move to Villarreal in 2021 was a success, with Danjuma playing a key role in their run to the Champions League semi-finals, scoring 16 goals in all competitions for the LaLiga side.
Opportunities have been more limited for Danjuma this season after a muscle problem disrupted the early part of his campaign, and a return to England is close to being completed with Tottenham.
Everton target Bielsa after sacking Lampard
The Sun’s football editor Charlie Wyett believes there is no long-term plan at Everton and suggests the club need a “fireman’s appointment” to keep them in the Premier League.
Marcelo Bielsa remains the favorite to replace Frank Lampard as Everton manager, but a deal could prove difficult to agree.
The former Leeds boss is Everton owner Farhad Moshiri’s preferred choice, but he and his backroom staff would likely cost up to £1m-a-month if they moved to Goodison Park.
Bielsa’s particular negotiating style sees him demand a large fee, which he then splits among his coaching staff, who come in as a non-negotiable part of the package.
Although Bielsa is No.1 on Everton’s wanted list, there are understood to be concerns over cost and making wholesale changes to their coaching set-up.
Everton want a new manager in place on Friday. Ralph Hasenhuttl, the former Southampton and RB Leipzig manager, and Sean Dyche, the former Burnley manager, are also being considered.
Bielsa was in talks to succeed Scott Parker as Bournemouth manager ahead of the World Cup, but the role was eventually given to interim manager Gary O’Neil on a permanent basis.
The Toffees’ approach to Bielsa follows Lampard’s sacking on Monday afternoon, following West Ham’s 2-0 defeat at the London Stadium, their third league defeat in a row.
Former Everton captain Alan Stubbs says Wayne Rooney could return to the club and tackle the task of keeping the Toffees in the Premier League.
The former Chelsea manager arrived at Goodison Park in January 2022 and, despite helping the club avoid the drop last season, leaves Everton with 15 points from 20 games and three wins this season, less than any other team in the division.
Everton are 19th in the table, with only Southampton below them on goal difference.
Carra: still the worst club in the country
Jamie Carragher believes Everton have become an “easy touch” to play in the Premier League and says the Toffees are the “worst run club in the country”.
Jamie Carragher still believes Everton are the worst-run club in the country and said the hierarchy have “demonised the whole fan base” in recent weeks.
Everton sacked Lampard after less than a year in charge on Monday.
Lampard’s sacking sees Everton owner Farhad Moshiri attend his first game since October 2021, when the Toffees succumbed to defeat at West Ham, their third successive league defeat .
“Nobody knows a football club better than its own supporters,” said Carragher Monday night football.
Follow the January transfer window with Sky Sports
Who will be moving this winter? The January transfer window opens Sunday January 1, 2023 and closes at 11 p.m activated Tuesday, January 31, 2023.
Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news and rumors in our dedicated Transfer Center Block activated Sky Sports’ digital platforms. You can also catch up on inputs, outputs and analytics Sky Sports News.
