Everton complete loan signing of Arnaut Danjuma

Dutch forward Arnaut Danjuma has completed his loan switch from Villarreal to Everton.

As announced by the Merseyside club on Sunday, the 26-year-old has arrived at Goodison Park on a season-long loan.

Everton tried to include a buyout clause in his deal but to no avail, as Villarreal refused to negotiate his permanent departure.

Danjuma spent the second half of last season on loan at Tottenham Hotspur, scoring once in nine Premier League appearances.

That was his second stint in English football after his breakthrough campaign with a Bournemouth side he helped reach the Championship play-offs in 2020/21.

Following his impressive stint at Bournemouth, Danjuma joined Villarreal for €25 million in 2021 and quickly became one of the club’s standout performers.

Danjuma ran the show as the Yellow Submarine qualified for the 2021/22 Champions League semi-finals, topping the club’s scoring charts that year.

However, he lost his place in the starting line-up at the start of last season, eventually joining Tottenham in an effort to revive his career.

Stiff competition for places in London didn’t help his cause, as Spurs decided against purchasing him permanently, forcing him to return to the Estadio de la Ceramica.

Despite his recent decline, the versatile forward has generated plenty of interest in Europe, with AC Milan recently pursuing his services during ongoing negotiations for Samuel Chukwueze.

But Everton have won the race, hoping Danjume will be the catalyst to reinvigorate Sean Dyche’s underperforming frontline that netted just 34 league goals last season.

His arrival may also mean the Toffees are ready to sanction Demarai Gray’s move to Crystal Palace after the Eagles stepped up their interest in the Englishman.

An unnamed Premier League club and Al-Hilal recently joined the hunt for the unsettled winger, increasing the likelihood of Gray’s departure in the coming weeks.