Everton are losing confidence about a £15 million deal for PSV Eindhoven captain Denzel Dumfries and could bring in a stop-gap at right-back instead, as reported by the Liverpool Echo.
Rafa Benitez might have spoken in glowing terms about Seamus Coleman following his unveiling at Goodison Park a few weeks ago, but the long-serving Irishman will turn 33 in October and it is high-time Everton looked to the future.
Jonjoe Kenny’s ailing Toffees career will not be salvaged by Benitez’s arrival, it seems, with Burnley and Arsenal just two of the clubs linked with a £10 million move for the Kirkdale-born defender.
Everton had been hoping to tie up a deal for arguably the finest full-back in the Eredivisie, the granite-carved human express train that is Denzel Dumfries.
His stellar performances for the Netherlands at Euro 2020, however, have made life a little more difficult for Marcel Brands.
Suddenly, Dumfries has an option on the table from Inter Milan, the reigning Scudetto holders and a side who will be playing Champions League football next season.
Could Everton sign Ahmed Elmohamady or Nathaniel Clyne?
Everton appear to have gone from positive to pessimistic regarding their chances of securing Dumfries’ signature, then, with the club now looking at alternative options.
The Echo believe that Everton could look to bring in a proven Premier League performer instead.
And don’t get your hopes up about a bid for Norwich City flyer Max Aarons. It is believed that Everton will instead go for a short-term solution and that probably means they are prioritising affordability and availability.
Maybe the Toffees will try to sign Diogo Dalot on loan from Manchester United?
The likes of Nathaniel Clyne and Ahmed Elmohamady are now free agents after being let go by Crystal Palace and Aston Villa respectively too.
Given that Benitez has already snapped up Demarai Gray, Andros Townsend and Asmir Begovic this summer for a combined £2 million, it would be no surprise if Everton did go for a player of Elmohamady’s ilk.
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