James McCarthy is close to completing a permanent switch to Crystal Palace, having travelled to London last night ahead of undergoing a medical and finalising personal terms.
Sky Sports News report that the Eagles will pay Everton £8.5million for the Republic of Ireland international’s services, while BBC Sport quote a much lower fee of around £3million.
McCarthy has just one year remaining on his contract at Goodison Park, and he has found his game time limited due to his recent injury record, which has subsequently seen him fall down the pecking order for Marco Silva’s side.
The 28-year old would bring his Everton career to a close after six seasons, having joined from Wigan Athletic in 2013 as the club’s then-second highest transfer fee paid at around £13million.
Read Everton Verdict
James McCarthy has been a great servant to Everton, and for a time he was indispensable. Alongside Gareth Barry, McCarthy made up the midfield axis that proved to be crucial in helping Roberto Martinez lead Everton’s to fifth place in the Premier League in the Spaniard’s debut season with the club.
McCarthy hasn’t been playing often these past two seasons, and part of that comes down to the horrific leg break he suffered against West Brom 18 months ago. Not back fit and firing, the midfielder deserves the opportunity to reignite his career by receiving more first-team minutes, and if not at Everton then Palace should be a good destination for him.
Regarding the fee, I’m not sure which number is correct but I’m also not sure it matters. McCarthy is certainly worth more than £3million, and if that is all he has cost Palace then they have landed an incredible deal, but Everton’s own spending doesn’t rely on McCarthy’s fee and it is more positive to acknowledged the benefit of freed up wages off the wage bill.
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