Everton chase Willy Gnonto and Jack Harrison from Leeds United as Sky Sports pundit reacts amid Rodrigo transfer fail
We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week the former Toffees captain will be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…
Kevin Campbell isn’t convinced that Everton have the money to be able to afford attacking targets from Leeds United this summer when Rodrigo was the “no-brainer”.
The Toffees were firmly in the race to sign £3million Spanish forward before his move to Al Rayyan in Qatar was confirmed on Thursday (13 July), but have also been credited with varying levels of interest in Willy Gnonto, Jack Harrison and Crysencio Summerville from Elland Road.
Everton are even thought to be leading the race for the teenage Italian international, but while former Goodison captain Campbell rates the targets he is worried that the cash isn’t there to complete the deals as none will be bargain moves.
Speaking exclusively to Goodison News the Sky Sports pundit said: “Rodrigo at £3million, that was the no-brainer. With the price of the others I’m not sure.
“Jack Harrison, I think you can’t go wrong. Gnonto, I think you can’t go wrong.
“Summerville? Probably a little bit more of a punt that one would be.
“But they’re going to cost money. Gnonto and Harrison are going to cost money.”
While Everton could do with any sort of attacking reinforcements it is a striker they need above all, so to end up empty-handed in the Rodrigo chase is a real kick in the teeth.
Even if the Toffees prove to be financially capable of picking up a Gnonto or a Harrison, if it weakens their ability to sign a centre-forward it could be a mistake, and after the bargain option ended up in Qatar success with any of his three former teammates has to be in some doubt currently.
Fans would feel a lot more comfortable about the window in general if the striker the past 12-months have proven they so badly need could be brought in, then any other deals could be navigated from that point and a creative deal to sign a player like Gnonto would be genuinely exciting.
In other Everton news, the Toffees are chasing another defender after completing the signing of Ashley Young.