Jonty Banks

Thu 2 March 2023 18:40, UK

Everton scouts were “probably” watching January transfer target Viktor Gyokeres in Coventry City’s goalless draw against Preston on Tuesday night (28 February), according to Scouts in Attendance.

The Toffees were linked with a move for Gyokeres in January, with the Football League World [27 January] reporting that Sean Dyche admired the Swedish international and wanted to bring him to Goodison Park.

Despite a deal never being struck, the Toffees are likely to have joined the likes of Manchester United and PSG at Deepdale on Tuesday – who were previously named as the scouts present via a leaked document on social media. [The Star, 1 March]

The Scouts in Attendance Twitter account wrote (Thursday, 2 March): “Leeds United’s scout saw Viktor Gyokeres draw a blank in Preston 0-0 against Coventry on Tuesday night, Everton also probably watching him.”

Competition

Although it is a promising sign that Everton may have sent scouts to watch Gyokeres in action, they will likely face competition from Leeds United and a host of other Premier League sides.

The striker’s form this season hasn’t gone noticed with 16 goals in all competitions, and if the Toffees were to get relegated, it would likely spell the end of their pursuits. Frustratingly, at this moment in time, there will likely be far more attractive propositions for Gyokeres than Goodison Park.

The tumultuous season that Everton have had under Frank Lampard, and the poisonous atmosphere surrounding the club’s ownership won’t help its transfer pull in the summer – as was clearly highlighted in the winter window. Every fan knew that a striker was needed if the club had ambitions of staying in the Premier League in January, but time and time again, they failed in their pursuits of a goalscorer.

If Everton were to secure the services of Gyokeres in the summer, then it would be a brilliant piece of business, but the competition will be stiff, and supporters must keep their feet on the ground in this case.