Everton setback as Bielsa has doubts and Spurs hijack Danjuma move

Everton could miss out on their first choice to replace Frank Lampard as manager as well as their prospective first signing of the January transfer window. Marcelo Bielsa is having doubts over the job and Tottenham are hijacking their move for Arnaut Danjuma.

Bielsa is the preferred candidate of the Everton owner, Farhad Moshiri, and has been approached about a Premier League return 11 months after being sacked by Leeds. The 67-year-old, however, needs to be convinced about taking over in a relegation battle. It is believed the Argentinian has reservations over the state of a club that has sacked six permanent managers in just under seven years.

The good, the bad and the ‘absolute shambles’: Lampard sacked as Everton manager – video

Everton have struggled in attack and are hoping to improve their options in the final days of the window but a proposed loan for Villarreal’s Danjuma has fallen through, with the player heading to Spurs.

The Netherlands international underwent a medical over the weekend with a view to joining Everton until the end of the season. Everton had planned to announce his arrival on Monday or Tuesday, but with the move not registered Spurs stepped in to offer the former Bournemouth player an alternative route back to the Premier League.

Lampard had been heavily involved in the move for Danjuma with Everton’s director of football, Kevin Thelwell. Lampard had his interest in Danny Ings, Kevin Schade and Georginio Rutter come to nothing with the strikers joining West Ham, Brentford and Leeds respectively.

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Bielsa is not the only candidate under consideration by the Everton board. There has been contact with representatives of former Burnley manager Sean Dyche, who is available, and the West Brom coach, Carlos Corberán, who worked with Bielsa at Leeds, is also of interest.