The summer transfer window is drawing ever closer, and Everton may well be busy.
Everton enjoyed a fine transfer window last summer, and after a quiet January, it’s all geared up for a big window this summer as Marcel Brands attempts to rebuild the Toffees.
Europa League qualification may yet be on the cards under Marco Silva, and that would certainly help Everton in the transfer market, with a number of positions needing some work.
With that in mind, here is a five-point plan for Everton’s summer transfer window…
1. Bring in a true centre forward
Everton’s biggest need is in attack, where Cenk Tosun has been something of a bust since his January 2018 move from Besiktas. The Toffees have seen Dominic Calvert-Lewin impress of late, but bringing in another centre forward would be ideal, especially given how Troy Deeney and Islam Slimani have thrived under Marco Silva in the past. Zurnal in Serbia claim Everton want Fulham attacker Aleksandar Mitrovic, and he would certainly fit the bill.
2. Secure Andre Gomes and Kurt Zouma permanently
Marcel Brands struck a couple of impressive loan deals last summer, luring Andre Gomes and Kurt Zouma from Barcelona and Chelsea respectively. Both players have impressed, making themselves key players at Goodison Park whilst rebuilding their careers after poor spells elsewhere. Signing both permanently won’t be cheap, but keeping quality players would be a signal of intent and great for the continuity of Silva’s side.
3. Offload many, many players
The sheer number of players on the books at Everton is staggering. Brands will want to offload a whole host of players, from fringe first-teamers like Maarten Stekelenburg, Phil Jagielka, Theo Walcott, Cenk Tosun and Morgan Schneiderlin to loaned out misfits such as Oumar Niasse, Luke Garbutt, Shani Tarashaj, Ashley Williams, Kevin Mirallas, Cuco Martina, Muhamed Besic, Yannick Bolasie and Sandro Ramirez. It’s unbelievable that those players are still on the Everton books, and offloading them would free up hundreds of thousands of pounds from the wage bill.
4. Add a natural right winger – or play Onyekuru
Much as he filled in up front, Richarlison has played on the right flank of late. With Bernard impressing, Richarlison’s long-term future may well be on the right, but with Walcott’s future unclear, another natural option there would be ideal. Of course, Everton could give a chance to loaned-out attacker Henry Onyekuru, who has been featuring for Galatasaray this season and has yet to make his Everton debut since his 2017 move from KAS Eupen. That would certainly save Everton some money.
5. Keep hold of Jordan Pickford, despite inconsistency
Yes, he’s endured some ups and downs this season, but Everton should not be letting Jordan Pickford go. The England international will be on the radars of a number of clubs, but Everton should be looking to build around their homegrown goalkeeper for the coming years. Some may be tempted to cash in given his inconsistency at times, but Everton should appreciate that they have a top English talent on their hands, and should stick by him.
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