Everton continue to be linked with attacking signings heading into crunch time of the summer transfer window with room for improvement in Sean Dyche’s frontline.
The Blues boss watched on as his side were painfully downed by Fulham in Saturday’s Premier League opener. For all the hosts’ dominance there was no breakthrough, leading to a the visitors snatching an undeserved late winner.
This prompted the almost immediate loan signing of Jack Harrison from Leeds United, an exciting addition to the squad as a former Manchester City academy member with three year’s worth of top-flight experience under his belt. As creative players go, he’s got the potential to make an impact at Goodison Park once he recovers from the injury he is currently carrying.
All there is to do now is see how the rest of Everton’s business plays out, but there’s certainly a path that has opened up to strengthen the squad, and not just the starters but the overall depth, too.
As reported earlier by the ECHO, the Blues are not yet done sniffing around Elland Road as Leeds United winger Wilfried Gnonto remains of interest. Several bids have been rejected so far this summer and the current situation is that the 19-year-old has been exiled having refused to play and listed as not for sale.
However, there is a growing feeling that as Gnonto continues to push for a move to Merseyside, Leeds will eventually lower their asking price.
Labelled a ‘good player’ by Dyche ahead of the Fulham clash, Gnonto would certainly push for a start in the Blues’ dream line-up, especially with Demarai Gray, like defender Mason Holgate, seemingly on his way out of the club. Others exits could include Tom Cannon, who looks set to enjoy another loan spell.
An experienced striker would also be on the agenda. Youssef Chermiti was announced last week and makes an exciting prospect for the future, but ultimately the challenge this season will be to not block the 19-year-old’s path to regular first-team action but serve the purposes of the team as best as possible.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin will also need his minutes managing on his way back to full fitness, so another frontman would allow the England international to not add further stress to any past injuries.
Calvert-Lewin played the full 90 minutes of Everton’s behind-closed-doors friendly against Manchester United on Tuesday and will be a welcome boost as part of an attack with added depth until nursed back to a point he can be regularly relied upon.
Therefore, one of two names would make for prime candidates for a starting spot in Dyche’s immediate plans.
The first is Che Adams, who has 124 Premier League appearances, 25 goals and 14 assists to his name. He even has two goals from two Championship matches this season, starting the campaign off in hot form for Southampton.
Next would be Hugo Ekitike, who has been linked from Paris Saint-Germain. Everton’s manager played down contact with the French champions last week over a transfer, but having impressed for Stade Reims before moving to PSG it would be difficult for a move to be ruled out.
The Frenchman has suffered considerably less from injury throughout his career than Adams, so it would be a matter of pitting experience over availability – both traits desperately needed on Merseyside right now.
Finally, should the opportunity present itself then Dyche could swoop in to make one more defensive transfer and shure up his back four heading into the rest of the campaign.
This could well be the case with BBC Sport reporting that West Ham United’s move for Everton-linked Harry Maguire has stalled. A year-long loan with an option to sign on a permanent basis could well suit all stakeholders in a move for the 30-year-old.
So considering all the factors listed above, here would be Dyche’s dream starting XI to take the Blues into the season. Ekitike – with availability a major consideration – and Maguire, on loan, sign on the dotted line ahead of deadline, as does Gnonto.