Premier League relegation candidates Everton are in dire need of reinforcements before the transfer window slams shut, though the Toffees have some good news to report from their pursuit of Southampton star striker Che Adams.
With chief goal-getter Dominic Calvert-Lewin still struggling to shake off persistent fitness issues, Blues boss Sean Dyche has prioritised signing an attacker and Scottish international Che Adams has been identified as the man to do the job.
Adams was part of the Southampton team that were relegated from the top tier last term, though the 27-year-old managed to bag ten goals in all competitions in a struggling Saints outfit.
Now the ex-Birmingham man look set to resume his Premier League career on Merseyside with Everton.
Che Adams to Everton: The latest update
Everton’s attempts to wrangle Che Adams from Southampton had hit a bit of an impasse, however, a report in The Telegraph has indicated that the improved £15m bid lodged by the Toffees for the striker’s services should be accepted by the Saints and the centre-forward’s switch north could now accelerate.
Sean Dyche saw first-choice forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin pick up yet another injury last weekend in Everton’s 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Aston Villa, though the addition of Adams to his roster should mean the Blues aren’t so short-handed in the final third when Calvert-Lewin is sidelined.
Adams is in the final year of his contract with Southampton, meaning he can be acquired for a reasonable sum and a fee of around £15m would represent excellent value for a proven Premier League performer.
Everton are rooted to the foot of the Premier League table after two rounds of fixtures and they have yet to notch their first goal of the new campaign.
Sean Dyche and indeed Everton’s beleaguered supporters will hope that Adams can add fresh energy and dynamism to a frontline currently lacking both.
Everton have already signed one striker this summer in Youssef Chermiti from Sporting CP, though Dyche has already admitted that the 19-year-old was brought to Goodison Park with one eye on the future.
Chermiti is highly rated in Portugal, though he hadn’t fully broken into the Sporting first team before he left to join Everton earlier this month for around £15m. The teenager is expected to be gradually introduced to the rigours of Premier League football this term.
Winger Jack Harrison, recruited from Leeds, should also add a creative spark to Everton’s team when he has recovered from his injury.
Adams on fire in the Championship
Despite the speculation around his future, Che Adams has been delivering the good for Southampton in the Championship in the campaign’s early throes.
The Scottish international hit a dramatic 94th-minue winner for the Saints on Saturday in the club’s 2-1 triumph at Plymouth and that was the third time in as many matches in the second tier where Adams managed to get his name on the scoresheet.
The 27-year-old also produced a heroic moment on the opening day of the Championship season with a later winner against Sheffield Wednesday and the efficient finisher also notched in the Saints’ thrilling 4-4 draw with Norwich City.
Adams scored just once against Everton during his time with Southampton, getting in on the act in the Saints’ 2-0 win over the Toffees at St. Mary’s Stadium in October 2020.
