Farhad Moshiri finally gets chequebook out for Everton as Wilfried Gnonto £18m+ transfer news emerges
After a prolonged wait in the transfer market for Everton fans to see some movement following a period of backroom upheaval, majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri has now finally opened his chequebook after an update on top transfer target Wilfried Gnonto.
According to Sportitalia journalist Michele Criscitiello (10 July), Everton have an agreement with Leeds United for the transfer of Italian forward Wilfried Gnonto for a fee worth close to €22million (£18.8m).
The Toffees have identified the Italy international as a target for the summer window following Leeds’ relegation to the Championship, with several reports emerging over the past month that the Merseysiders were in talks over a move for the Italian.
In an exciting new development for the Goodison Park faithful, it certainly seems as if Everton have finally go their man.
And according to the Italian Sportitalia journalist, Criscitiello, taking to his personal Twitter account (10 July), Everton are closing in on their top target this summer, with the Italian outlet Sportitalia (10 July) claiming that Gnonto will be wearing new colours next season as he finally seals his Elland Road exit.
While many of their rivals had been identifying transfer targets and making moves in the window, Everton fans were faced with the frustrating but expected sight of transfers at boardroom level.
Denise Barrett-Baxendale, Grant Ingles and Graeme Sharpe all confirmed to be leaving their roles on 12 June, as a result of Moshiri entering an exclusivity agreement with the US-based investment firm MSP Sports Capital ahead of a 25% takeover, which inevitably left room for plenty of change at the top of the football club.
There was also controversy surrounding chairman Bill Kenwright’s position which left a dark cloud hanging over the club, when there was a clear and desperate need for Everton to get going in the transfer market to right 2022/23 mistakes and avoid another disastrous Premier League season in the next.
Such agony was made worse with concerns and news surrounding Everton’s need to sell key assets in order to fund considerable transfers this summer. However, it finally seems as if Moshiri is letting the cash fly at Goodison Park after this Gnonto development.
The 19-year-old enjoyed a stellar first season in England, contributing four goals and four assists in 23 appearances in all competitions but more crucially possesses amazing trickery, 1v1 dribbling, pace and technical skill to unlock even the best defences in the Premier League, making him an attractive proposition for several elite English top-flight sides.
But Everton deserve tremendous credit for staving off competition elsewhere, and fighting despite the off-field controversies to secure an agreement for Gnonto’s signature, but it was abundantly clear Dyche needed reinforcements in attack following their dreadful record last season.
Gnoto won’t be the only signing at Goodison Park so far, with the Toffees incredibly close to sealing a move for former Aston Villa and Manchester United veteran Ashley Young who will add valuable experience, character and a winning mentality to a squad in desperate need of direction and guidance next season.
These are indeed super businesses from Everton and arguably their most impressive ones for a long while.
Gnonto, in particular, is a marquee acquisition for the club, a talent capable of winning points on his own should he be rewarded with the freedom of Goodison Park and it will be intriguing to see what role Dyche hands him next season.
Are there any more transfer surprises lying in wait Moshiri?
In other Everton news, club sources respond after a Spanish La Liga club director confirmed an Everton bid for a striker hotshot this summer.