According to 90min, Everton are close to signing Crystal Palace and West Ham target Dwight McNeil from Burnley.
What’s the story?
Well, the Toffees are closing in on their third signing of the summer after James Tarkowski and Ruben Vinagre, and it could see the England international reunited with a teammate from last season.
90min believe Everton have offered Burnley £20m for McNeil – a fee they are happy to accept – and the winger himself is keen to make the move to Goodison Park.
It is said that Everton’s offer also includes bonuses, and Burnley have no issues with the sum being paid in instalments rather than a lump sum.
90min add that McNeil is determined to return to the Premier League, after dropping into the Championship with the Clarets last term.
The 22-year-old made 40 appearances in all competitions as Burnley suffered relegation, providing one assist as he failed to score.
Everton’s agreement comes after both Crystal Palace and West Ham opened talks with Burnley over a deal for McNeil.
However, it seems Patrick Vieira and David Moyes will now have to look elsewhere, as the England Under-21 international is close to teaming up with Frank Lampard on Merseyside.
Everton should’ve left Dwight McNeil to Crystal Palace or West Ham
In our view, McNeil is not the forward Everton need, despite his obvious talent.
Lampard has just lost a primary source of goals in Richarlison, so he needs someone who can find the back of the net on a regular basis.
McNeil – as aforesaid – failed to score in 40 appearances last season, so we doubt he will be able to step into the Brazil international’s shoes.
Of course, Burnley adopted a defensive style in which the attackers were not blessed with many chances, but even someone like McNeil’s teammate Maxwel Cornet – who Everton are also interested in – managed to score nine Premier League goals.
In our view, a deal for the Ivorian – or Watford’s Emmanuel Dennis, another target for Lampard – should’ve been pursed ahead of McNeil, as the Toffees simply must add goals to their attack.
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