Everton forward Kelly Gago has handed in a transfer request as the 27 year old looks to return home to France during the January window.

The move comes as a shock given Gago signed a new contract with the Toffees at the end of 2025, just months after joining from Nantes in January last year.

Gago scored four goals in nine games last season and asserted herself as a solid option up front for Everton. However, despite a positive first campaign on Merseyside, the club signed exciting forward Ornella Vignola in the summer who has started all 12 WSL games this season.

Vignola Emergence Forces Gago Out

The talented Spaniard has been favoured over Gago up front and has become a revelation for her new team this season. Vignola has proven undroppable for Toffees boss Brian Sorensen, leaving the France international clearly unsettled in England and making her departure in January all but guaranteed.

Gago has already been linked with PSG in the January window. With the striker looking to return home to France, Paris could be an ideal destination given their need for attacking reinforcements and her familiarity with French football from her time at Nantes.

Everton May Not Replace Departing Forward

Should Everton let their forward go, they may not sign a backup in the current window. The Toffees also have Katja Snoeijs who can play up front and they wouldn’t be left too short of attackers once Gago departs.

Everton may choose to spend their money for Gago in a different department as they boast the second worst defensive record in the WSL. They sit 10th in the table, four points above bottom placed Liverpool with only one team facing relegation this season.

Also read: PSG or Manchester United: Which team is in pole position to sign Everton women star Kelly Gago?

Everton Women host Manchester City on Sunday as the WSL leaders return from the winter break with a six point advantage at the top of the table. Brian Sorensen’s side will be without several key players including Rion Ishikawa due to sickness and Hikaru Kitagawa who is being assessed after feeling her hamstring during training.

Elise Stenevik, Megan Finnigan and Lucy Hope remain unavailable while Katie Robinson has returned to Aston Villa after her loan spell ended, having made 12 appearances for the Toffees. Everton sit 10th in the table, five points above the relegation zone.

Kick-off: 12:00 GMT, Sunday, January 11, 2026
Venue: Joie Stadium, Manchester
TV: TBC

Sorensen Demands Defensive Discipline

The Everton boss knows his side face an uphill task against the league’s highest scorers. “They have a very good team and we have to put a performance in. We have the confidence to know that we can do it if we get it right. But, it is going to be extremely hard. We have to be right in the defensive department. We know how good they are. We need to focus on ourselves and make sure we get our things right.”

Manchester City have been relentless since their opening day defeat to Chelsea in September, establishing a commanding lead at the top. Khadija Shaw tops the scoring charts with support from Vivianne Miedema and Aoba Fujino providing goals throughout the season.

Recent Meetings Favor City

The clubs have already met twice this season with Andrée Jeglertz’s team winning both encounters. City won 3-1 in the League Cup at Joie Stadium in September before edging a competitive 2-1 victory at Goodison Park in November, despite Kelly Gago’s equalizer.

Predicted Lineups:

Everton (4-2-3-1): Ramsey; Vanhaevermaet, Wheeler, Payne, Boje Sørensen; Clare, Hayashi; Thomas, Gago, Bissell; Snoeijs

Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Yamashita; Casparij, Rose, Knaak, Ouahabi; Hasegawa, Blindkilde Brown; Fujino, Miedema, Hemp; Shaw

Also read: Julie Blakstad Officially Joins Tottenham From Hammarby as Spurs Strengthen Backline

Everton Women have confirmed the arrival of fresh minority investment from GED Investments, a Canadian privately-held investment company.

The announcement comes 12 months after The Friedkin Group completed their takeover of Everton, ending Farhad Moshiri’s eight-and-a-half-year ownership reign.

Under TFG’s restructuring plans, the WSL outfit became a standalone entity capable of attracting focused external investment. GED Investments will invest in on-field resources while driving commercial growth as part of their involvement with the club.

Leadership Changes Confirmed

Everton CEO Angus Kinnear will join the board of Everton Women as part of the investment deal, alongside David Beeston, chief of TFG umbrella company Pursuit Sports. The reshuffle signals a strategic shift in how the women’s team operates within the Friedkin Group’s wider football portfolio.

Kinnear welcomed the development, stating: “I am delighted to welcome GED to the Everton family. This investment is testament to the vision we have for Everton Women, and a reflection of our aligned sporting ambition. I look forward to working with them as we embark on this journey.”

Investment Comes at Critical Time

The fresh capital arrives as Everton Women fight relegation from the WSL, sitting 10th in the table with eight points from 11 matches. They’re five points above bottom-placed Liverpool heading into the winter break but have struggled for consistency throughout the campaign.

Brian Sorensen’s side face Manchester City in their first match after the break on January 11, a daunting fixture that could determine their survival hopes. The club will hope the investment provides resources to strengthen in the January transfer window.

The Friedkin Group’s decision to make Everton Women a standalone entity aims to unlock commercial opportunities unavailable under the traditional club structure, following similar models implemented by other WSL teams.

Also read: Brian Sorensen Tells Everton Women to “Lift Their Heads” After Arsenal Lesson as Goodison Curse Continues