Everton transfer update emerges in race to sign Callum Hudson-Odoi
Nottingham Forest emerging as the frontrunners ahead of Everton to sign Chelsea attacker Callum Hudson-Odoi, according to TeamTalk.
The website reported on Wednesday (23 August) that Steve Cooper’s side has taken advantage of the Toffees move for the Chelsea winger stalling to leave Forest in pole position to secure his services this summer.
Sean Dyche has been keen to reinforce his attacking options before the transfer window closes and Chelsea are open to letting the winger depart this summer as he is not in Mauricio Pochettino’s plans at Stamford Bridge, with Everton hoping to hijack Fulham’s move for the wide-man (Niall McVeigh, 23 August).
Discussing the race for the 22-year-old’s signature, Team Talk wrote: “Fulham and Everton have been linked with moves for Hudson-Odoi this summer, but those potential moves have stalled leaving the path clear for Forest to land the skilful attacker.
“Hudson-Odoi’s brother and agent was an interested observer for Forest’s game against Sheffield United, to fuel talk of a move to the City Ground for the Chelsea man.”
Near miss
While Everton desperately need new options at Goodison Park this summer, a move for Hudson-Odoi seems like the wrong sort of move for the Toffees who need quality this summer, rather than a hopeful addition.
The 22-year-old was once one of Europe’s most exciting talents, earning comparisons with Bukayo Saka as both players broke through in London at similar times, but Hudson-Odoi unlike Saka, has failed to kick on and reach the level he was once expected to.
Last season while on loan with Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, the winger only featured 14 times and managed just one assist before returning to England this summer with no shirt number and likely no future at Stamford Bridge.
Everton have been down this road too often of signing out-of-favour and out-of-form forwards from other Premier League clubs, whether it be Theo Walcott or to a lesser extent Alex Iwobi and Demari Gray and it hasn’t worked as many would have hoped in the past.
Missing out this time may be a blessing in disguise for Sean Dyche’s side.
In other Everton news, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has shared an injury update after his injury against Aston Villa