Everton dreaming as Fermin Lopez transfer update emerges at Barcelona
With the summer transfer window looming, Sean Dyche will be keen to make additions to his Everton squad, especially in the attacking third of the pitch.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Beto have been far from ideal in the striker position this season, combining for a total of nine goals in all competitions, and midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure leading the club’s Premier League scoring list.
It is these attacking statistics that have landed the Toffees in a sticky relegation situation, while their formidable defensive partnership of Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski have, rightly, had their praises sung loudly.
Are Everton actually targeting Barcelona wonderkid Fermin Lopez?
Despite the forward woes at Goodison Park, the Toffees are one of two clubs interested in Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Spanish outlet Sport.
The publication’s online source reported [25 March] that Everton have been keeping tabs on the 20-year-old midfield sensation since January, but Lopez is content at the Camp Nou.
Links between Amadou Onana and Barcelona are the only reason that there is any plausibility in this transfer news, although fans should be extremely pleased if the club were somehow able to pull the move off.
The Spaniard is showing incredible potential already, making 31 appearances for the Barcelona first team and taking the place of Frenkie De Jong since the Dutchman’s injury, suggesting there is no way Barca would want to part ways with the young prospect.
How could Premier League relegation affect the Toffees’ summer transfer window?
The risk of relegation also adds a defining factor in the transfer rumour. Just four points above Nottingham Forest, who are in the dropzone, and three points above Luton Town, Everton’s safety could come down to the wire.
In addition to this, as 777 Partners’ takeover of the club continues to stall, there is more and more uncertainty overshadowing Goodison Park.
For the third successive season, Everton are battling to avoid the dreaded drop to the Championship, which would deter most European stars from a move to the blue side of Merseyside.
Leeds United last season is a prime example of this, with the likes of Robin Koch, Luis Sinisterra, Tyler Adams, Maximilian Wober, Marc Roca, Rasmus Kristensen, Brendan Aaronson and Diego Llorente jumping from the sinking ship.
Of course, the offloaded wages from those players have helped the Whites avoid issues with FFP but the loans are only temporary, and those problems are about to come full circle.
But for Everton, their current situation – on and off the pitch – means that any move for Fermin feels a little bit like they’re living in dream world.
In other Everton news, national media recently scored one “invaluable” Toffees ace 8/10 on international duty.
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