Mandela Keita in an Everton kit, with Hill Dickinson Stadium behind him
Mandela Keita in an Everton kit, with Hill Dickinson Stadium behind him
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Everton are effectively being blocked from getting a deal over the line for Parma midfielder Mandela Keita due to financial constraints.
David Moyes is said to be eager to add a second holding midfielder, with Keita seemingly emerging as a top target in that position.
The 24-year-old is available for a relatively cheap sum all things considered, but Everton are being frustrated in their attempt to sign him.
However, amid an update from abroad, there is a possible back-up plan in place.
Everton have a solution to sign Mandela Keita
Sport Parma, who specialise in reporting on the Italian club, claimed on Friday that Everton and Atalanta are in talks with Keita's agent.
Parma are asking for around £25.7m for Keita, but £21m could be enough to strike a deal with various add-ons included.
Everton appear ready to spend that amount, unlike Atalanta, who are hoping to haggle a lower fee.
However, the report states that financial constraints are stopping Everton from lodging a bid.
The Football Association are cited as being the hurdle to preventing a deal going through, likely referring to Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Due to spending a fair amount on Hackney, albeit for much lower than many expected, Everton have to be wise with their business.
One solution, it is reported, is for Everton to put a payment plan in place that would allow them to spread the payment over several years.
It is not yet clear if Parma will accept this proposal, or instead wait a team to pay up the full upfront fee in one go.
Why PSR is still proving a headache for Everton
Everton fans have grown sick of those three letters in recent years.
It has held the Merseyside club back at a time when the Friedkin Group want to make ambitious moves.
While it seemed the shackles had been loosened, this report suggests otherwise.
It may well be, on the face of it, that a player has to be sold if Everton are to satisfy the regulations.
As for Keita, he seems like a player who could slot in nicely alongside Hackney in the engine room, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall further ahead.
Whether or not Everton actually get the chance to proceed with a move, though, is now anyone's guess.