Everton could be splashing the cash on transfer deadline day.
Everton still have a few signings to make today, with a winger a top priority for Marcel Brands after a strong window so far, which has seen them recently land Jean-Philippe Gbamin and Moise Kean.
The Toffees need a centre back desperately, but names are thin there. Two wingers are leading the way in Brands plans, but players may go too – and here are the key names in play for Everton on deadline day…
Alex Iwobi
Everton launched a £30million bid for Arsenal ace Iwobi on Wednesday, which was rejected by the Gunners. The Daily Mail now claim that the Toffees will return with a new bid for the 23-year-old, and believe he can be persuaded to join thanks to a new challenge and first-team football. The Nigerian has been at Arsenal for 15 years, so may not be easy to sign, but Everton seemingly have hope after Nicolas Pepe’s arrival at Arsenal.
Wilfried Zaha
That same Daily Mail report claims that Everton are also planning a new bid for another winger; Crystal Palace hero Zaha. It’s stated that Everton are ‘determined’ to land the Ivorian, and are readying a new bid on deadline day having seen Zaha submit a transfer request on Wednesday. The 26-year-old wants to leave Selhurst Park this summer, but has seen Palace reject an offer of £70million plus Cenk Tosun and James McCarthy, meaning a deal may be difficult.
Chris Smalling
Smalling is the main defender in the frame for Everton right now, but a deal may be difficult. The Manchester Evening News note that Manchester United have rejected their attempts to sign the defender, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer doesn’t want to let him go this summer. Just like they’re trying to take advantage of Iwobi dropping down the pecking order at Arsenal with Pepe’s arrival, Everton are seeing a similar opportunity with Smalling after United signed Harry Maguire – but whether Everton come back with a new bid remains to be seen.
Morgan Schneiderlin
Some fringe players may leave Everton today too. Sabah in Turkey claim both Besiktas and Fenerbahce are keen to land Toffees midfielder Schneiderlin, who isn’t particularly fancied by Marco Silva. The Frenchman doesn’t have to leave today, as there is still time in the Turkish market for a deal to be done, but Everton will hope to finalise a deal sooner rather than later to reinvest in new signings themselves.
Matthew Pennington
One outgoing that should be done by the end of day involves defender Pennington. The 24-year-old has come up through the Everton ranks, but is nowhere near the first team, and has spent time on loan at Leeds United and Ipswich Town in the last couple of seasons. The Liverpool ECHO now suggest that the centre back will be joining Hull City today, meaning he will reunite with Everton teammate Josh Bowler, who is also on loan at the KCOM Stadium.
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