Kalvin Phillips sparks triple-transfer blow at Everton as key Sean Dyche signing now at risk
Everton have been looking to sign a midfielder to replace Amadou Onana this summer since before the Belgian star made his big-money transfer to Aston Villa.
Kalvin Phillips has long been the top option [Daily Mail, 28 May] but with a fortnight left before the transfer window shuts the club are rapidly running out of options as he headlines three of their targets at the position who are seemingly on the way to Premier League rivals.
Tim Ireogbunam has impressed since his arrival from Villa Park and is in line to start the Premier League opener against Brighton [i News, 12 August], but his move was essentially to cover for the exit of Andre Gomes earlier this summer.
Onana may not have been a guaranteed starter by the end of his time at Goodison Park but Sean Dyche is faced with being left thin in the centre of midfield without another signing there, having reportedly made a midfielder his top priority for the rest of the window [TEAMtalk 2 August].
Everton target snapped up by Ipswich from Manchester City
Kalvin Phillips has been a favourite of the Toffees boss since before the player left Leeds United and the manager arrived at Everton.
And circumstances looked to be lining up for Dyche to get his man amid recent talks with Manchester City [The Times, 13 August], and Pep Guardiola’s side now willing to let the 28-year-old go on loan.
And yet he has instead been snapped up by Ipswich Town who confirmed the ex-West Ham loanee’s arrival on 16 August.
Compounding that development, the newly-promoted Tractor Boys look to have struck a double-blow at Goodison as Fabrizio Romano reported later the same day that Napoli’s Jens Cajuste is on his way to Portman Road for a medical as well.
Jesper Lindstrom teammate Jens Cajuste also due at Portman Road
Everton were said to be interested in landing the Swedish international after his move to Brentford collapsed [TEAMtalk, 13 August], having brought in Jesper Lindstrom already who was similarly unwanted by Antonio Conte in Serie A.
Talented Chelsea youngster Lesley Ugochukwu has been in line for a loan move away from a hugely-crowded Stamford Bridge squad all summer and the Toffees have had their eye on him for weeks [Foot Mercato, 13 July].
But David Ornstein reported for The Athletic on 15 August that another promoted side has stolen a march on the Toffees with Southampton now in advanced talks to land him.
Chelsea talent Lesley Ugochukwu set for Southampton over Toffees
Phillips was thought to be the final piece of Dyche’s puzzle at Goodison this summer if he was brought in, and barring any late sales that would have been the incoming business wrapped up [Liverpool Echo, 14 August] so it will be a major blow to the manager to lose out.
And with two of the potential fall-back options also seemingly off the market within the same 24-hour window Everton are at risk of missing out altogether.
Real Betis’ Johnny Cardoso has been mentioned as a potential option who could move before the deadline [TEAMtalk, 13 August] but Dyche and Kevin Thelwell are unlikely to have expected him to be one of the only linked options still available already.
Amir Richardson was another player who the Toffees had put in work towards this summer [L’Equipe, 7 August] only to see him move to Fiorentina, so while it is quite possible that there are players Everton have their eye on who haven’t become publicly known it looks like the market is shrinking rapidly.
In contrast to recent windows the five signings already made are a welcome boost, but the best-laid plans to cap it off with a long-expected sixth appear to be in tatters.
In other Everton news, a talented Arsenal player is emerging as a prominent target at Goodison Park.
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