Callum O'Connell

Sat 22 July 2023 11:10, UK

Everton look set to miss out on yet another transfer target this summer, after Nigerian striker Victor Boniface looks close to a move to Bayer Leverkusen, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Romano revealed via his Twitter account [22 July] that Union Saint-Gilloise have received a £17.3million offer, with £6.5million add-ons from the German outfit, in a move that looks to have moved Everton out of contention for the striker they were linked with last week [18 July].

This would be the fourth key target the Toffees look set to miss out on, after Anthony Elanga nears a move to Nottingham Forest [Daily Mail, 21 July], Almeria forward El Bilal Toure nears a move to Atalanta, and another striker target Brian Brobbey wants to stay at Ajax this season.

Everton need to be careful they’re not left behind

Missing out on key transfer targets seems to have become a recurring theme for Everton in this summer’s transfer window, and it won’t be something they want to continue.

This is an issue that comes with targeting respected names that will cost big money. It is well-documented that the Toffees don’t have a bottomless pit of money, so any deals they do will need to be quiet so as not to bring attention to their interest.

When clubs like Leverkusen can come in with huge offers, Everton don’t seem to stand much of a chance, and the same is true for Elanga with Forest paying a fee seemingly over the odds for the Manchester United winger.

The club do, however, need to be more active in the transfer market. They are in desperate need of a number of players, even following the arrival of Villarreal forward Arnaut Dajuma who is set to arrive imminently [Fabrizio Romano, 20 July].

The Merseyside club’s reported interest in Salernitana forward Boulaye Dia looks to be a step in the right direction if they can pull it off amid interest from elsewhere.

In other Everton news, Richard Keys has delivered his Everton transfer verdict.