Right-back remains a priority for Everton as the club prepares for pre-season to gather momentum. One month from today the Blues will step out at Hill Dickinson Stadium to open their Premier League campaign against Crystal Palace.
Some business has already been done but the hope is there is more to come, though there is an expectation the coming weeks will present a challenge to finding value for money. The World Cup did not prevent business from taking place but has, as always, influenced the transfer market and the consequences of this year’s spectacle will continue to have an impact as the stars who reached the latter stages embark on their delayed summer holidays.
Managerial changes and market dynamics
The managerial circus has also led to some uncertainty, with seven Premier League clubs set to begin the season with new bosses. For many, the weeks ahead will be their first opportunity to assess their squads and conclude which players they are willing to make available and what areas they wish to strengthen in. That could point to a late scramble for business unfolding in a market that has so far been dominated by major deals, with Elliot Anderson’s record-breaking move to Manchester City being eclipsed by Chelsea’s move for Morgan Rogers.
Against that backdrop, there is some satisfaction at the work already completed at Everton. Merlin Rohl’s acquisition was confirmed in April when the club became mathematically safe, triggering the obligation to buy the midfielder from Freiburg for £18m. The pursuit of Hayden Hackney took longer than hoped but still ended before the start of pre-season, as did the renegotiation of terms that led to Tyrique George becoming a permanent signing following his loan spell last season.
Right-back priority
The priority for Everton going forward is to address the longstanding issue at right-back. The departure of Seamus Coleman and the likely exit of Nathan Patterson, who was overlooked for much of last season and has been the subject of an enquiry from Eintracht Frankfurt, will only intensify the need to sign a specialist in that position. Centre-back Jake O’Brien played much of last season in that role but would like to challenge in his preferred position and the pre-season opener against Dundee on Saturday saw central midfielder Rohl deputise on the right of the defence.
There is a recognition that situation needs to be improved on and a number of right backs have dropped onto the club’s radar over the summer, from Atalanta’s Raoul Bellanova to Strasbourg’s Guela Doue and Tottenham Hotspur’s Djed Spence, who had an outstanding World Cup with England.
Midfield and striker options
Other areas have also been considered, with Parma’s Mandela Keita looked at as the club surveys the defensive midfielder market. Another midfielder could yet be targeted depending on how Idrissa Gueye’s situation is resolved. His contract expired weeks ago but Everton are yet to formally announce his departure. Conversations were held with his representatives before the World Cup.
David Moyes remains a fan of Liam Delap, who Everton lost out to Chelsea over last summer, but entered the summer content to persevere with Beto and Thierno Barry after the pair combined for 17 goals in the Premier League last season. The Blues are only likely to enter the striker market if they spot value and, given that club’s reputation for developing talent, saw RB Leipzig’s summer enquiry over Barry as vindication that his data shows the potential to progress.
Jack Grealish situation
Everton will be watching Jack Grealish’s return to full training with interest as they monitor his situation at Manchester City. The playmaker said he was close to a full return on Monday as he looks to fight back from the stress fracture suffered at Everton in January. The Blues and Moyes are open to exploring a loan but will need to be convinced he has successfully recovered before committing to another deal. Man City, meanwhile, will look to recoup some of their £100m outlay on the Champions League winner if suitors emerge for a permanent deal.
Potential sales and academy moves
Everton are also expected to be open to sensible offers for players who might have to fight for a place in the heart of Moyes’ plans next season. An offer for Dwight McNeil was accepted in the winter transfer window only for his move to Crystal Palace to fall through. Patterson is likely to leave in search of first-team football after proving his fitness with Scotland at the World Cup while Tim Iroegbunam, who started in midfield at Dens Park on Saturday, has been the subject of interest already this summer.
The club started the summer braced for interest over Iliman Ndiaye, with Manchester United among those considering a move. Interest could grow now that Crysencio Summerville, the West Ham United winger also tracked by clubs seeking to improve out wide, appears set to move to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia.
In the academy, Everton have already signed goalkeeper Zach Lee after a trial, as well as young forward Kai Hutchison from Dundee United and left-back Tom McDermott from Chelsea. Bristol Rovers starlet Ollie Dewsbury is training with the academy at Finch Farm this week ahead of a potential move for the 18-year-old. Fellow youth forward George Morgan returned to AS Cannes on loan this week after helping them to promotion last year. Isaac Heath has moved on a permanent deal to Cambridge United while winger Kean Wren, released by the Blues, has signed a professional deal with Derby County. Frankie Okoronkwo, who was also released by the club, has joined League One side Doncaster Rovers - where he spent part of last season on loan.
