George Overhill

Tue 8 August 2023 14:11, UK

Everton “will complete” their deal to sign Youssef Chermiti this week with an announcement expected “before Friday” (11 August), according to BBC Sport.

The broadcaster reported in the 1.32pm update on their website on Tuesday afternoon (8 August) that the 19-year-old completed the first half of his medical in England on Monday and is “undergoing the second part today”.

According to the BBC the fee could rise to £15million for the Portuguese striker, with the payment structure and personal terms with Chermiti already agreed.

Chermiti will become the third signing of the transfer window for Sean Dyche after Ashley Young on a free transfer and Arnaut Danjuma on loan.

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It looks like it might take a week or so longer than originally planned but as long as Everton get this one over the line it will have to suffice.

Only something unforeseen in the second half the medical looks like being able to derail proceedings now, and while it won’t give the youngster much time to get up to speed before the season starts it will at least be another man through the doors.

And given his lack of experience, having only broken into the Sporting first-team last season, it isn’t certain that Dyche would have thrown him in immediately anyway.

Currently Dominic Calvert-Lewin looks to be in line to feature in the opener against Fulham on Saturday (12 August), so if the English number nine can get through that unscathed it will allow the youngster to adapt with less pressure on his shoulders.

A new striker signing has been a year in the making since Neal Maupay’s arrival from Brighton last summer, which has not paid off so far.

While Chermiti will be expected to develop into a higher-quality forward than Ellis Simms as he is set to arrive for around double what the 22-year-old was sold to Coventry City for earlier this summer.

In other Everton news, transfer developments between the Toffees and Leeds United show £100m legal threat is off the table.