George Overhill

Tue 11 July 2023 7:10, UK

Everton have reportedly made a move to sign another full-back this summer after contacting Sassuolo over Rogerio, according to Tutto Mercato Web.

After scraping through the relegation battle without any of the senior options at either left or right-back available to him Sean Dyche has made it one of his transfer priorities this summer.

With a deal to sign 38-year-old former Aston Villa veteran Ashley Young on a free transfer expected to be concluded by Wednesday (12 July) pending a Tuesday medical, the Toffees boss is on the brink of one reinforcement in that area.

He appears to be after 25-year-old Rogerio in addition, who is reportedly available to leave Sassuolo this summer, with only a year left on his contract with the Serie A side.

The left-sided defender has made 148 appearances in the Italian top flight and Everton have “requested information” over a possible deal to bring him to Merseyside.

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Finally it looks like movement is under way for the Everton transfer window, and while few supporters are going to be jumping for joy over Young’s addition there is a decent chance that it proves a handy one.

Seamus Coleman’s own play and leadership were invaluable last season, and while he is four years younger than Young they are two aging players who shouldn’t be expected to shoulder the load all year.

Dyche doesn’t appear to be overly convinced by Nathan Patterson or Vitalii Mykolenko yet, to the point where he played Ben Godfrey ahead of each at different points last term, despite the converted centre-back not looking comfortable out wide.

So if Rogerio is on the move during this window, and with 12-months left on his deal likely for less than a huge fee, he may be a gettable option with plenty of experience in a top European league.

If Dyche can get a pair of full-backs through the doors that might satisfy one his two main aims for the window covered, and everyone will be hoping that the second will be conclusively addressed next, with attackers an even bigger need.

There appears to be belief that Leeds United’s Rodrigo could be the first one in for a relatively small fee, while a loan-to-buy offer is reportedly on the table for El Bilal Toure [Mail Plus, 10 July].

With the squad now in Switzerland for their preseason training camp Dyche is going to want whoever he can get in wrapped up fast to get as much work with them done as possible before the new campaign kicks off.

In other Everton news, an approach has now been made to Manchester United to sign a respected player who knows the manager well.