Sean Dyche guided Everton to Premier League safety after the Merseyside club looked destined for the drop in January when Frank Lampard was relieved of his duties. Everton’s financial troubles have been well documented over the last few years, so the recruitment team have a job on their hands trying to hunt for some bargains during the summer transfer window.
Convincing certain targets to make the switch to Goodison Park certainly won’t be easy, but Evertonians will be hoping that the stature and history of the club could make them an attractive prospect to potential new signings.
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Che Adams
27-year-old Che Adams is the sort of player that makes a difference. That’s why Sean Dyche wants to have him on his side during the 2023/24 Premier League Campaign. Certainly, the Scottish forward would like to return to Premier League football as well after Saints got relegated last season.
However, Saints’ board are playing hardball during the negotiations. The club-to-club talks have been rocky so far. Rumors have it that Southampton rejected the initial bid of £12m for their star player, which forced Toffees to counter with a £15m deal that is still being considered by the Championship side.
If Southampton want to cash out on the player now, they’ll have to tread lightly, as Everton could easily get discouraged in pursuing Adams. After all, Toffees aren’t known for spending a lavish amount of money on new signings.
With only hours on the transfer clock, there’s a high chance that Che Adams will sign his deal and strut his stuff at Goodison Park this season. The 27-year-old forward made a total of 126 official games for the Saints, during which he found the net on 28 occasions. It’s time he made a step forward.
Beto
Norberto Bercique Gomes Betuncal, or simply Beto, is a player who has caught the eye of plenty of top-class managers. Sean Dyche’s instinct to sign promising players is pointing Everton’s men in charge in Beto’s direction. The 25-year-old striker is rumored to be plan B for Everton in case Che Adams’ deal falls through.
However, the negotiations with Serie A’s Udinese have not gone well either. Everton enquired about Beto’s availability but the Italians demand his £30m release clause be paid. That’s a number that Everton could possibly be forced to pay, with the transfer clock ticking unstoppably. The Toffees will surely try to convince Udinese’s board to meet them halfway on Beto’s price tag but it’s highly unlikely that the Serie A side will agree to make any discounts on their star player.
Beto joined Udinese back in 2021. During his two-season stay, he made a total of 61 Serie A appearances, scoring on 21 occasions.
Mama Balde
27-year-old Mama Balde is Sean Dyche’s plan C for the attack. ESTAC Troyes’ goalscorer-in-chief’s potential transfer shouldn’t break the bank, as his market value is set at a measly €6m. According to multiple sources, the French side will demand a bid of €7m for their star player but that’s not a number Everton can’t afford.
However, there is a problem. Newly-promoted Sheffield United are also showing interest in the finisher. There’s a high chance that while Toffees are struggling to sign Che Adams or Beto, the Blades will take advantage of the situation and poach Balde on a €7m deal.
If coach Sean Dyche wants to have Mama Balde on his side, he’ll have to be quick to outrun Sheffield United in this transfer race. With 12 goals and three assists in 34 Ligue 1 games for Troyes, Mama Balde definitely proved he is worth the €7m.
Youssef Chermiti – Forward – Sporting CP
Quite literally within the last few hours, it seems that Everton has managed to agree to terms with Sporting CP to bring Youssef Chermiti to the club. This 19-year-old forward has been on Everton’s radar for quite some time now. So of course, he is one of the prime Everton transfer targets at the moment. Yet while terms have supposedly been agreed, there is still plenty of red tape to get through before he is officially an Everton man. Therefore, he remains simply a target rather than a confirmed signing, although this story is developing rapidly.
But if the rumours are indeed true, it could be the case that Youssef Chermiti is undergoing a medical at Everton as we speak. Once again, nothing is 100% certain on this right now, but I would certainly expect more news on the subject over the next 24/28 hours. And if things are actually moving as quickly as some people predict, Chermiti might just be inked before Everton plays their first game of the season.
So naturally, this is a story we shall be monitoring closely!
Moussa Dembele
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano recently confirmed that Dembele is an option for Everton this summer, with the French forward available on a free transfer. With Neal Maupay flattering to deceive since his move from Brighton & Hove Albion and Dominic Calvert-Lewin struggling with injuries, signing a striker could be a priority for Everton over the next few months.
Dembele struggled for game time at Lyon last season due to Alexandre Lacazette rejoining the club, but at the age of 26, the former Celtic striker still has plenty to give at the highest level.
Romano has confirmed that other clubs are interested in signing Dembele, but considering he’s out of contract and a proven goalscorer, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Everton go all out and bring him to Goodison Park.
Wilfried Gnonto and Jack Harrison
With Leeds dropping down to the Championship, the Yorkshire club will have to accept that some of their key players will be looking for a move back to the Premier League in the summer transfer window.
The Toffees are desperate for attacking reinforcements, and they’ve now been linked with a move for a trio of Leeds players. According to Football Transfers, Everton are in talks with Leeds regarding the potential signings of Wilfried Gnonto and Jack Harrison. Elsewhere, the Telegraph have claimed that Crysencio Summerville is attracting the interest of Everton.
Harrison’s relegation release clause is believed to be £16m, with Summerville expected to be available for around £12m. Although nominal fees in today’s market, it might be a little out of Everton’s price range unless they manage to offload some deadwood.
There could be concern from Everton fans due to the fact that the aforementioned players were part of sides who suffered relegation, but some of Everton’s better players from over the years were signed from relegated sides.
Jordan Pickford, Idrissa Gueye, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Dwight McNeil, and James Tarkowski, just to name a few, joined the club from sides who had just dropped down to the Championship.
Viktor Gyokeres
Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor has recently claimed that Everton are admirers of Coventry City striker Gyokeres, with the Sky Blues wanting around £20m for the Swedish forward.
Unfortunately for Everton, Sporting CP, Wolverhampton Wanderers, West Ham United, and Brentford are also interested in signing Gyokeres, so it could be difficult to convince him to make the move to Merseyside.
Gyokeres recently spoke about his future at Coventry, hinting that he wants to leave the club this summer. He said: “There are a number of clubs that are interested. I guess Coventry want what they want. I hope they can think about what I want, and what I feel, and not just about who pays the most.”
Again, financial constraints could make it difficult for Everton, but there’s no doubt a player of Gyokeres’ calibre would improve their attack.
