Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Stephen Killen

Everton 'eyeing' Wilfried Gnonto and other forward for 'knockdown' prices

The transfer window is creeping toward a month old and further players look set to depart Everton.

Niels Nkounkou made his loan move to Saint-Etienne permanent while Yerry Mina, Tom Davies, Andros Townsend and Asmir Begovic have all left at the end of their contacts.

The Blues finished just outside the relegation places after securing their status in the Premier League with a win over AFC Bournemouth on the final day. A need for reinforcements is clear for Everton but there has yet to be any breakthrough for Sean Dyche as his players begin to return to the fold for pre-season.

And this week, the future of two of their Finch Farm academy graduates was plunged into doubt with Ellis Simms and Ishe Samuels-Smith being linked with moves away from L4.

READ MORE: Dele Alli change, Dominic Calvert-Lewin latest and more things spotted in Everton training

READ MORE: Everton face brutal reality over new players as message sent over minimum transfers required

The ECHO understands that Simms is in advanced talks to sign for Championship side Coventry City. Last season's beaten play-off finalists are one of several clubs chasing the 22-year-old and it has emerged they are close to landing him on a permanent basis.

The Oldham-born frontman spent the first half of last season on loan at Sunderland before he was recalled by then-Everton boss Frank Lampard for the business end of the campaign. He scored his only Premier League goal in the draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and the Blues are said to value the forward between £6m and £8m.

The news, as reported by the Coventry Telegraph, has been met with positive reactions from Sky Blues fans.

Elsewhere, talkSPORT have reported that Everton are looking to sign Leeds United forward Wilfried Gnonto and beat Premier League rivals Aston Villa to his signature.

It has been said that Gnonto is looking for a move away from Elland Road following Leeds' relegation and that the Blues are attempting to negotiate a "bargain fee" for his services. The Italy international arrived in the English top flight last summer for a reported £4m fee. Although there is said to be no relegation clause in his contract, reportedly Gnonto wants to remain in the Premier League after turning out 24 times in the top division for the Whites, who are said to be under pressure to sell their talent.

Joel Piroe is interested in a move to Everton from Swansea City this summer, according to Paul Brown. The journalist told Give Me Sport that the Swans forward is eyeing a move away from the Championship club this summer.

The 23-year-old has a year left on his deal and it has been suggested that any fee that would see him leave Michael Duff's side wouldn't be too high.

"Piroe is certainly an interesting one and it seems that Everton have done their groundwork there, because his camp are saying that Everton are one of the clubs that he'd be interested in joining," Brown told the outlet.

"He's only got a year left on his contract, as far as I'm aware, which means there wouldn't be a huge fee involved."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.