Anthony Onifade

Tue 8 August 2023 15:10, UK

Wantaway Everton forward Demarai Gray is expected to depart Goodison Park this summer, and the Toffees potentially have an ideal replacement lined up in Southampton attacker Kamaldeen Sulemana.

According to The Guardian (4 August), personal terms are already agreed for Gray to sign for Fulham, but Everton are standing firm on his impending exit unless Fulham presents a tempting offer.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano tweeted early on 5 August that Gray has missed Everton training for three consecutive days as he only wants to join Fulham and is still waiting for an agreement between the two clubs.

With the new Premier League campaign just days away, Dyche is still desperately short on the attacking front, despite sealing a move for Arnaut Danjuma and needs more signings for which selling Gray could fund.

And the Daily Mail reported on 2 August that the Toffees have registered an interest in Ghanian international Sulemana after it emerged that Dyche is willing to allow Demarai Gray to leave the club.

And according to the Liverpool ECHO (2 August), Everton have held talks with Southampton over the availability of the former Rennes winger.

The Blues were chasing a deal to land the 21-year-old from Ligue 1 side Rennes in January, but he ended up signing for the Saints for £22million instead.

However, with Southampton now plying their trade in the Championship this season, after relegation, Sulemana is expected to be one of their key departures this summer opening the door for Everton to make their move.

It’s no surprise to see Everton credited with an interest in signing Sulemana after seeing their latest bid rejected for Leeds United winger Willy Gnonto, who they have been trying to strike a deal for throughout much of the summer.

With Gnonto reluctant over a move to Goodison Park, Sulemana represents the perfect contingency plan for the club to pursue.

With Gray expected to depart, Dyche needs a quality replacement who can immediately make an impact in the first eleven and the Ghanaian international needs a change of scenery making this an attractive proposition.

Once Gray’s departure is confirmed, Everton majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri must let the cash fly to seal a move for Sulemana as his freighting and “Exceptional” qualities could add some much-needed dimension and class to Dyche’s depleted attacking weaponry.

The 21-year-old gem did not quite set the Premier League alight since joining six months ago but did display flashes of brilliance in a rather dismal Southampton side, really exhibiting the full strength of his skill set on the final day of the term.

Having played 18 times for Saints since moving from France, Sulemana would leave it late to remind everyone of his qualities, bagging a double on the final game of the Premier League season in an enthralling 4-4 draw against Liverpool.

As per Sofascore, the Ghanaian recorded a match-high 8.7 average rating that day, complementing his brace with success in two of his three dribbles, one key pass, tackle and interception, and success in six of his nine duel attempts.

Sulemana ranks among the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers for progressive carries and the top 20% for total shots per 90, as per FBref, which highlights his prowess in darting into the danger areas for which Everton desperately require if they are to reach new levels next season.

Sulemana could yet forge exciting attacking partnerships with the likes of Danjuma, Alex Iwobi and even their impending new signing from Sporting Youssef Chermiti, which certainly points to a change in approach and squad vibrancy from the former Burnley manager.

The club don’t have long to bolster the squad and with the new season upon us, the sooner a deal can be done the better. Sulemana would represent a stunning new acquisition, even on a temporary deal.

In other Everton news, the Toffees must firm up their approach to sign a leading Juventus defensive wonder this summer.