Everton want more signings before transfer deadline amid Beto update from Italian sources after jetting out for medical
Beto’s move to Everton is “progressing well” and the club are in the market for further additions before the deadline, according to The i.
The online newspaper reported via their website Sunday (27 August) that “sources in Italy” had given a positive update on the Udinese striker’s deal after he travelled to Merseyside the same day for his medical, but that the club still “want more signings before deadline day”.
Beto, 25, is set to cost the Toffees £20million plus £4m in “achievable add-ons” so “notwithstanding further sales” it is expected to be a matter of moves with “minimal down payments” or loan-to-buy deals after the Portuguese international, with it set to be a “busy week” yet at Goodison Park.
Beto is currently in line to join Youssef Chermiti as the only two Everton signings to cost a fee, with Ashley Young arriving on a free transfer, and the two wingers Arnaut Danjuma and Jack Harrison secured on loan.
Surprise
Given the money on the table for the prospective new target man, and the little time left before the deadline, it looked like he might be the final deal.
Sky Sports’ Alan Myers is of that opinion, and believes a further deal for Che Adams would be off the table if Beto comes in, after bids had been made to Southampton.
In light of the financial constraints the club are thought to be operating under it appears any deal requires an extra layer of negotiating to be done, making it all the more ambitious to go for more in the final days.
But having started the season with three straight defeats without scoring a single goal has surely lit a fire under Sean Dyche and Kevin Thelwell, especially with the stakes once again looking sky high in the wake of the collapsed MSP Sports Capital investment deal.
Two tight 1-0 defeats at home would likely have been wins if the Toffees could find the net, even if the Aston Villa trip was a comprehensive defeat.
So if Beto comes in the hopes that he can be the difference in the absence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be high, but if there are further options on the table that are actually viable then the club should certainly push for them.
Finally landing a senior striker and then adding extra reinforcements would be a positive end to the window, but it has been a struggle to secure signings all summer so the recruitment department have their work cut out.
In other Everton news, boardroom changes have left a Toffees transfer at risk of collapse at the last, when the player already had his visa ready to fly out.