We’re delighted to welcome football finance expert Dr Daniel Plumley as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Everton...

Dan Plumley has insisted that any bid for Abdoulaye Doucoure before the February 1 deadline would be hard for Everton to turn down in their current situation.

The finance expert pointed to the tight finances and FFP charges at Goodison Park as reasons behind that stance, although it would be tough to lose a star performer.

It comes after the Daily Mail reported on 20 January that Saudi club Al-Ettifaq had approached the Toffees to sign Doucoure in the coming days, with the club vulnerable to offers.

“I just think you would find it very hard to turn down,” he exclusively told Goodison News.

“Given the current situation, given the FFP charges, given we know the finances are still tight.

“I know they’re in a relegation battle and I know he is one of their standout performers and nobody wants to lose those types of players in a squad in a crucial part of a season, but if you’re going to get a kind of offer that is almost too good to turn down.

“I think it would be a very tough one for Everton to turn down.”

In other Everton news, Jim White has reacted live on air to what a Premier League club’s chief said about the latest Toffees controversy.

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