David Moyes closing in on first January signing as Everton in talks over five-year deal after transfer bid

A split image as Everton manager David Moyes smiles across at owner Dan Friedkin, who stands wearing a cap and glances back at Moyes.Evan Shaw

Everton could be about to have their first addition of the January transfer window within their grasp.

The Toffees have made a bright start in the Premier League so far this season, and find themselves comfortably in mid-table after the opening eight games.

Ivan Toney is not a current target for Everton, despite the recent links with the former Brentford striker, but that doesn’t mean that work isn’t going on in the background ahead of the window opening.

David Moyes and Co. are now growing ever closer towards sealing their first signing of the January window, with the talks already underway over a deal.

Everton manager David Moyes smiling.
Credit: Imago
Everton on the verge of securing Kojo Peprah Oppong transfer
Jarrad Branthwaite’s continued injury struggles are an issue for Everton, as they are not blessed with quality depth in the centre of their defence.

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The centre-back has now undergone surgery for the hamstring problem that has kept him out of action so far this season, but it is already clear that defensive reinforcements will be needed this winter.

The Toffees now appear to be on the verge of securing that, as they have submitted a £6.9million offer for Nice star Kojo Peprah Oppong, according to Africa Foot.

Everton are already in talks with the 21-year-old’s representatives over a potential five-year contract, which is believed to be worth in excess of £38,000-a-week.

Nice appear receptive to the deal, and it is thought that they are happy to sanction the defender’s departure to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, provided that he can spend the rest of the season in their ranks.

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With that in mind, there may be little standing in the way of the Merseysiders getting the transfer over the line.

Who is Kojo Peprah Oppong?
Everton’s need for a centre back is clear, and they appear to have found an interesting long-term option in Peprah Oppong.

Peprah Oppong has started seven of Nice’s eight games so far this term
He previously made 15 appearances for IFK Norrkoping in the first half of their season
The centre-back has enjoyed a rapid rise in recent months, having only secured his move to Ligue 1 in the summer.

Before that, he was at IFK Norrkoping in the Swedish top flight, where he had played for two years.

Still only 21, Peprah Oppong made his senior debut for Ghana in the recent international break, when he came off the bench late on in their World Cup Qualifying victory over Comoros.

If a deal is done, Everton fans will likely have to wait until next season to see their new star, but there will undoubtedly be plenty of excitement surrounding him, given the trajectory that his career is on.