Everton close in on deals for Demarai Gray and Andros Townsend
Everton are on the cusp of completing a double swoop for attackers Demarai Gray and Andros Townsend, according to Times journalist Paul Joyce.
The Toffees were looking to sign wide attackers this summer, and are closing in on deals for both Gray and Townsend.
The former is currently plying his trade at Bayer Leverkusen and is expected to cost the Toffees £1.5million, while the latter is set to move to Goodison Park on a free after seeing out his contract at Crystal Palace.
What’s happening?
We certainly needed wingers who could not only help set up chances but also shoulder the goal-scoring responsibilities of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison.
What we did not need was signing two players that have failed to impress in the Premier League in the past few seasons and have been shown the door at their respective clubs.
Of the two, Gray appears to be the better signing, but even he struggled in his final few months at Leicester City, before Leverkusen signed him for a reported £2.7million fee. [Sky Sports]
Still only 25, one could argue that he has his best days ahead of him, and hopefully, he rediscovers his best form at Goodison Park after spending a few months away from the shores of Great Britain.
Townsend, on the other hand, is the more baffling of the two. He did not set the world alight or even manage to stand out at Palace, and it’s surprising how we think that he would add something different to our squad.
He may have over 240 Premier League appearances under his belt which have been amassed by representing Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle and Crystal Palace, but he is certainly not the calibre of player we need at Goodison Park if we are to go to the next level.
Both transfers could be avoided and we’re bemused about the direction the club is headed in despite getting a manager of Rafa Benitez’s pedigree through the door.
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