Everton look set to start flexing their muscles in the transfer market and it is not before time with James Tarkowski their sole summer capture so far.
Midfield is an area where the Toffees look potentially light and a move for a La Liga Argentina international looks on the cards. Former Wolves defender Ruben Vinagre looks likely to arrive from Sporting Lisbon as back up to Vitaly Mykolenko on loan with an option to buy.
And there could be further movement with regard to a striking option. Mirror Sport takes a look at all the transfer news, rumours and gossip from Goodison Park.
Wijnaldum prefers Italy switch
Gini Wijnaldum has ruled out a return to the blue half of Merseyside. The Dutchman would have solved Lampard’s midfield problem but has reportedly rejected an offer from Everton with Football Italia reporting he is closing in on a move to Jose Mourinho ’s Roma instead.
Wijnaldum is likely to leave Paris Saint-Germain after an underwhelming year in the French capital. Wiljnaldum’s snub could open the door for a move for Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour, who spent last season on loan at Norwich. The Scotland international has been told he is not going to be a big part of Thomas Tuchel’s plans this season.
Lampard was interested in both Conor Gallagher and Gilmour but it looks like the former could be given a chance to stake a claim under Tuchel instead.
Betis await bid
Frank Lampard’s search for back up in his midfield could find a solution if agreement can be reached with Real Betis over Guido Rodriguez. Real Betis are said to be waiting on a concrete offer from Everton for the Argentine after they made their interest apparent.
The departures of Fabian Delph, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Donny van de Beek who has returned from a loan spell to Manchester United has left Lampard light in the middle.
And several outlets are reporting that Rodriguez could be the best option with a firm offer in the offing. Spanish newspaper Estadio Deportivo insist that the Spanish club are keen to sell given they need funds to bring in players.
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Vinagre move edges closer
Everton are close to agreeing a season-long loan deal for Sporting Lisbon defender and former Wolves player Ruben Vinagre. The move is reported by Portuguese media outlet Record and repeated who say the Blues will pay the defender’s wages in full and have an option to make the move a permanent one.
The newspaper reports that Everton and Sporting are ‘" very close" to reaching an understanding for the 23-year-old. Indeed, they are so close to an agreement for him that Sporting boss Rubem Amorim has left him out of his pre-season plans.
Favourites for Dennis
Everton look to be in pole position to land unsettled striker Emmanuel Dennis according to the Daily Express. The paper report that West Ham, Southampton, Everton and Nottingham Forest all have held discussions with Dennis’s representatives in the summer transfer window.
But Everton are emerging as a more likely destination with Lampard eyeing the £20million rated striker as a direct replacement for Richarlison.