Enner Valencia to Everton: Latest Loan Details, Comments and Reaction
Tom Sunderland@@TomSunderland_
Featured ColumnistAugust 31, 2016
Everton have completed the signature of West Ham United forward Enner Valencia on a season-long loan, it's been confirmed.
The Merseyside outfit announced the transfer of the Ecuador international via their official Twitter account on Wednesday:
Everton also revealed a key clause in the deal:
Kaveh Solhekol of Sky Sports News had more details:
A loan move to Swansea City looked likely, but the idea was rebuffed late on deadline day, according to Sky Sports. Meanwhile, Phil Kirkbride of the Liverpool Echo revealed Everton's interest later in the day.
Prior to the deal, the Liverpool Echo's Greg O'Keeffe raised questions about Valencia's form in front of goal:
It's not an unreasonable doubt, given how Valencia scored just four Premier League goals last season, per WhoScored.com. But the versatile 26-year-old is a better player than the numbers suggest.
Competition for a place in West Ham's forward line has intensified this summer after the east Londoners wrapped up loan deals of their own to sign Juventus' Simone Zaza and Boca Juniors star Jonathan Calleri.
As such, Valencia has agreed to move to the Toffees in a bid to see better playing guarantees, yet he may find that tough with Belgian powerhouse Romelu Lukaku leading the line at Everton.
Manager Ronald Koeman wisely knows he needs more options, though. Valencia can help the Toffees become less reliant on Lukaku. He's mobile, strong in the air and intelligent off the ball.
Valencia joined the Hammers from Pachuca for a fee of £12 million in the summer of 2014, going on to score a total of 10 goals in 72 appearances for the English outfit.
The 26-year-old enjoyed a promising maiden campaign at West Ham and netted five goals in 37 appearances during 2014-15, but he managed to match that tally in just 23 outings last term.
Everton will hope to offer the South American another platform to recapture his best and improve once more, with the potential for a permanent switch depending on the success of his loan spell.