Everton transfer news: Saudi boom tipped to ‘get money in’ at Goodison Park
Michael Ball has suggested that Everton might “finally find buyers for unwanted players” amid a transfer boom from Saudi Arabia.
Ruben Neves is on the brink of a “staggering” £47million move to the Middle East after a deal was agreed with Al-Hilal [Telegraph, 18 June], in arguably the headline development from the Premier League after the Saudi PIF took a controlling interest in four clubs and set about a new transfer push [Daily Mail, 4 June].
Karim Benzema has already been signed from Real Madrid [Guardian, 5 June], and N’Golo Kante is expected to be the first of a number of Chelsea players to follow [Sky Sports, 19 June], so Ball has mooted the Toffees to finally shift some of their expensive misfits this summer as well.
The former Everton man and BBC pundit posted on Twitter Monday morning (19 June): “Is Saudi’s booming transfer policy a chance for Everton to finally find buyers for unwanted players to get money in?”
Hopeful
Chelsea appear to be taking advantage of the sudden interest from the oil-rich nation at a time when they need to sell players to satisfy their FFP situation.
There are certain parallels at Goodison Park, albeit on a smaller scale, with the likes of Jean-Philippe Gbamin and Andre Gomes returning to the club this summer after loan moves as relics of previous big spending at a time when they have little prospect of a future with the club.
Neal Maupay is already in the same boat after a miserable first season on Merseyside following his move from Brighton last summer.
Star man Richarlison was sacrificed for big money last year, and there are fears that Jordan Pickford or Amadou Onana might go the same way this summer if sales have to be made to balance the books or fund incoming business.
If Everton were able to shift players who aren’t key it would kill two birds with one stone so the possibility is enticing, but whether there will be the same sort of interest in players who have struggled at a relegation-threatened club is another matter.
The landscape changes fast in football, especially in the transfer market, but finding buyers for peripheral names is going to surely be a priority during this window, whatever league they are in.