Everton set to sign Ashley Young within 48 hours as ex-Aston Villa ace rejects offers to enter ‘advanced talks’ – Alan Myers
Everton are set to win the race to sign Ashley Young after the 38-year-old rejected offers from elsewhere, Sky Sports reporter Alan Myers reports.
The former Manchester United and Inter full-back left Aston Villa at the end of the season after making an unexpectedly large contribution to the campaign.
Sean Dyche is prioritising signings at the position this summer after ending the relegation battle in the midst of an injury crisis on both sides of his defence, and now it looks like the first arrival of any sort under his reign is imminent according to Myers.
Reporting via Twitter on Monday evening (10 July) the Sky Sports journalist wrote: “Everton are in advanced talks with Ashley Young over a move to Goodison Park.
“Young has turned down other offers from the PL, Championship and Europe in favour of Everton. A deal expected to be in place in the next 48 hours for a one year deal plus one year option.”
Start
It may be pretty underwhelming for a free transfer of a man pushing 40 is the first signing that Dyche looks set to be given, but Everton have to start somewhere and Young is still performing at a high level.
After coming up short in numerous transfer races in recent months it is encouraging at least that the Toffees appear to have now won one amid extensive interest.
Injuries pressed Young into more action than expected at Villa last season, to the tune of 29 Premier League appearances, and he held up well.
Whether he would be expected to supplant Vitalii Mykolenko as the starter at left-back remains to be seen, but the possibility of fielding 38-year-old Young and 34-year-old club captain Seamus Coleman as the two full-backs shows the younger arrivals haven’t necessarily convinced Dyche.
There will need to be more arrivals to augment a squad that is clearly lacking, and ones that get the fans excited at that, with Rodrigo from Leeds United tipped to be the first through the door but possibly now relegated to second.
If Young is wrapped up by Wednesday (12 July) it could be an under-the-radar addition that may prove crucial during what could be another difficult campaign.
In other Everton news, the Toffees have caused “surprise” at a European club with the bid they have tabled for one of their key men.