{"id":1090458,"date":"2019-05-25T13:20:45","date_gmt":"2019-05-25T12:20:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1090458"},"modified":"2022-09-20T23:26:10","modified_gmt":"2022-09-20T22:26:10","slug":"transfer-moves-everton-this-summer","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/transfer-moves-everton-this-summer\/","title":{"rendered":"Transfer moves to expect from Everton this summer"},"content":{"rendered":"

There were some bumps and bruises along the way but Marco Silva has successfully navigated his first season in charge of Everton. <\/strong><\/p>\n

The Toffees’ horrendous mid-season patch was book-ended by a decent start and a very impressive finish which saw Silva’s men take 13 points from a possible 15 at home to Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Burnley without conceding a goal.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/audioboom.com\/posts\/7266091-the-season-defining-story-from-each-of-europe-s-top-five-leagues<\/p>\n

This has shown what Silva’s Everton could really look like next season \u2013 a far cry away from the slow, turgid football on offer at Goodison Park under Sam Allardyce \u2013 but to maintain these high levels, Farhad Moshiri and Bill Kenwright must back their manager, adding more depth and quality over the summer.<\/p>\n

And so, we\u2019ve had a look at five different sources to suggest five possible transfer scenarios the club are expected to encounter. But who are the sources, and what did they have to say about Everton’s prospects in the market?<\/p>\n

Read on to find out!<\/p>\n

1. What the manager wants<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Silva has already\u00a0cooled speculation linking Everton<\/a> with Inter Milan and former West Ham midfielder Joao Mario, saying: \u201cJoao Mario is an Inter player and there\u2019s nothing else to it. He was my player, I was the one who gave him his debut for Sporting [CP].<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s had a very good season, he\u2019s at a high level for the club he plays, but right now he\u2019s not on the table.\u201d<\/p>\n

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He has also claimed Everton will be ‘realistic’ in their targets, knowing that an eighth-placed finish simply won’t be enough to attract the calibre of player, say, an Arsenal or Man Utd could.<\/p>\n

However, Silva did hint at the club trying to secure loanees Kurt Zouma and Andre Gomes on permanent deals<\/a>. Both were hugely impressive at Goodison Park last season and played key roles in their strong end to the campaign. The fact that they’re on loan means they will have to part with sizeable sums just to stand still but, of course, that’s better than going backwards or having to look for less familiar players.<\/p>\n

A host of clubs are being linked with Gomes, including Premier League rivals Spurs, while Chelsea’s potential transfer ban could make the Zouma deal complicated. For the most part, Silva is remaining respectful and not allowing himself to be drawn on questions regarding players from other clubs \u2013 even those on loan at Everton.<\/p>\n

But as Silva said himself: \u201cThe starting point for us will be to keep the same level we have inside because just in this way we can start to improve.”<\/p>\n

2. A view from the press box<\/strong><\/h2>\n

It is, of course, vital that Everton do their best to keep hold of Zouma and Gomes but even with them, one area the Blues sorely lacked in last season was goals.<\/p>\n

The Evening Standard’s chief football correspondent, James Olley, believes Arsenal’s Danny Welbeck could be the man to fill the long-standing gap left by Romelu Lukaku.<\/p>\n

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Welbeck spent much of last season sidelined with a horrific ankle injury but following successful surgery, is now back in full training and scored a hat-trick in a recent behind closed doors game, ready for Arsenal’s Europa League final against Chelsea.<\/p>\n

But on the final day of the Premier League season, the ex-Man Utd man stood alongside Petr Cech and Aaron Ramsey as Arsenal honoured players set to leave the club and although the likes of Newcastle United and Wolves are also being linked, Olley has Everton in pole position to sign Welbeck on a free transfer.<\/p>\n

At 28, Welbeck doesn’t quite fit with the profile of player Marcel Brands and Silva are bringing into the club at the moment but the lack of transfer fee may mean they make an exception.<\/p>\n

Welbeck’s touch and ability have often been called into question but with 16 goals in 42 England caps, there is a clinical player in there. If he can maintain his pace following his injury, Welbeck could at least, be a step in the right direction up front for Everton.<\/p>\n

3. An ex-player’s thoughts<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Silva may have hinted at keeping hold of Zouma, but former Everton and Rangers left-back Michael Ball believes the French defender should be the club’s top priority.<\/p>\n

Only the Premier League’s top four conceded fewer goals than Everton last season and Ball believes Zouma played a key role in that defensive solidarity, making him the most important target for the summer window, followed by tying down fellow loanee Gomes and midfielder Idrissa Gueye, who came close to joining PSG in January.<\/p>\n

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“Securing Kurt Zouma on a permanent deal has to be the priority this summer because the back four has looked really solid with him in it and he’s a man mountain,” Ball told the Liverpool Echo<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“The deal is complicated by Chelsea’s situation but, fingers crossed, it can be done.<\/p>\n

“After that, getting Andre Gomes to sign a long-term deal has to be next on the list and then making sure Idrissa Gueye will be at the club next season, because he continues to be linked with rival clubs.<\/p>\n

“Zouma and Gomes have said they have enjoyed their time at Everton and they have played most weeks, that counts for a lot and so as long as their families are happy too, then that gives the club a really good chance of signing them.”<\/p>\n