Everton have failed in their attempts to bring Salomon Rondon back to the Premier League while Financial Fair Play pressures could scupper their attempts to land Dwight McNeil or Denzel Dumfries, as reported by The Athletic.
With just three days to go until the Rafa Benitez era gets under way against Southampton at Goodison Park, the sense of cautious optimism that usually accompanies the start of a new campaign is conspicuous by its absence.
But who can blame Everton supporters if they aren’t exactly counting down the seconds until the big kick-off?
Benitez remains one of the most controversial managerial appointments in recent Premier League history after all, unwanted and unwelcome in the eyes of many supporters.
Furthermore, while the likes of Aston Villa and Arsenal have spent huge money on a number of marquee signings, Everton have splashed out less than £2 million since the summer began.
Two of those three signings – Andros Townsend and Asmir Begovic – cost the club nothing.
Will Everton miss out on Dwight McNeil and Denzel Dumfries?
And, according to The Athletic, concerns over breaching Financial Fair Play regulations have restricted Everton’s ability to strengthen a lopsided squad in dire need of a right-back, centre-forward and top-quality winger.
Burnley winger Dwight McNeil and PSV Eindhoven’s Euro 2020 star Denzel Dumfries are of interest.
But, with the two players understood to cost about £40 million and £13 million respectively, it seems Everton have little choice but to prioritise affordable alternatives at this stage.
Royal Antwerp right-back Aurelio Buta has emerged as their new number one target and would cost £10 million less than PSV want for Dumfries.
The Athletic adds Benitez also hoped to bring in 31-year-old Rondon, a target man in the Dominic Calvert-Lewin mould who played some of the best football of his career under the Spaniard at Newcastle United.
An attempt to bring Rondon back to England from Chinese outfit Dalian Professional collapsed, however, because of concerns about the deal’s structure.
That means, with Calvert-Lewin struggling with injury and Olympic gold medallist Richarlison in dire need of a rest, transfer-listed Moise Kean could begin the season as Everton’s first choice centre-forward.
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