Everton are set to complete the permanent €23m signing of Merlin Röhl after avoiding relegation from the Premier League.
Fussball Transfers, relaying information from Kicker, report that a mandatory purchase clause for the 23-year-old is now set to be activated.
Everton form earns transfer
According to the newspapers, Everton agreed to a permanent deal for Merlin Röhl last summer when he joined on loan from SC Freiburg.
The Toffees paid an initial €2m loan fee but also agreed to a mandatory clause of €23m if they managed to avoid relegation from the Premier League this season.
That obligation to buy has now been triggered. Everton are currently 10th in the table on 47 points; 16 points clear of Tottenham in 18th. With only five games of the season remaining, they are mathematically safe. Thus, the purchase clause for Röhl has now kicked in.
They will now be forced to pay a further €23m for Röhl, despite him only appearing sporadically this season. Freiburg are simply waiting for the funds to arrive.
Everton status question
Everton, meanwhile, will likely be looking back at a deal that they regret. Merlin Röhl arrived with a solid reputation from Germany. But he has barely featured under David Moyes this season.
While there have been impressive cameos, the Everton manager’s preferred midfield trio of Idrissa Gueye, James Garner and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has meant Röhl has spent much of the season sat on the bench.
Even Tim Iroegbunam and Harrison Armstong appear to be ahead of him in the pecking order.
There have been flashes of talent when he’s been given a chance, but that’s been few and far between. €25m for a midfielder who has 12 appearances totalling 358 minutes is certainly not ideal.
Whether he can push on next season after a year adapting in England, remains to be seen. Either way, Everton will be paying €23m for him at some point in the coming weeks.