Everton transfers behind Farhad Moshiri’s Bill Kenwright move as Sean Dyche likely forced to sell despite four confirmed exits
Farhad Moshiri wanted Bill Kenwright to stay at Everton because his “contacts and acumen” are needed for the transfer window, according to The Times.
The Toffees need to strengthen in the market after only escaping relegation on the final day of the season, but finances are tight and despite four confirmed player departures at the end of their contracts sales are still expected to be necessary to raise funds.
Conor Coady was not signed on a permanent deal before his loan deal ended, while fellow centre-back Yerry Mina’s contract was allowed to expire after ongoing injury problems, and back-up goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and academy graduate Tom Davies rejected the extensions they were offered.
That leaves exits on the cards amid the drama in the boardroom, where Kenwright was “ready to quit” along with the now departed Denise Barrett-Baxendale, Grant Ingles and Graeme Sharpe on 12 June, but the owner has convinced him to stay to assist in transfer business.
According to Paul Joyce in The Times: “It is shaping up to be another crucial summer on the pitch and Moshiri also believes that Kenwright’s contacts and acumen will help Everton as he works alongside the director of football, Kevin Thelwell, and the manager, Sean Dyche.
“Tom Davies, Conor Coady, Yerry Mina and Asmir Begovic have all left upon the expiry of their contracts this summer and there is an expectation that Dyche will be forced to sell a player to raise meaningful funds.”
Really?
If Kenwright is central to the transfer dealings at Everton there will be plenty who see that as more reason to get him out as soon as possible.
The track record in the market at Goodison Park has been pretty abysmal overall in recent years, with successes largely outweighed by flops as the team have headed down the table amid millions and millions in losses.
The Toffees signed a grand total of zero reinforcements in the January window at a point when it was clear to everyone watching the squad needed help, with Anthony Gordon’s departure actually weakening the playing staff for Dyche’s arrival.
After selling star man Richarlison for £60million a year ago it is a pretty sad indictment of the past 12 months for another relegation battle to have ensued and still another manager is now faced with losing a key piece.
Amadou Onana and Jordan Pickford are clearly the two prize assets given Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s injury problems, and losing either would be a major blow.
The latter is probably more crucial given his position and the fact that he often captains the side, so if a bid comes in for the young midfield star that gets everything else moving then it looks like it might be the same old story.
While Kenwright remaining to supposedly help with the summer business it is unlikely to fill any Toffees fans with confidence.