Everton manager Frank Lampard has confirmed that he is looking to reinforce in the forward areas but refused to be drawn on individual targets.
Asked if Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s injury would prompt him to return to previous employers Chelsea for Armando Broja, Lampard said: “I wouldn’t speak about targets individually but I think in the area of the pitch, yes. We’re obviously aware of what we have and we lost Richarlison who was versatile across the front as well.
“Now we’ve brought in Dwight (McNeil) but we’re very aware of the areas we want to strengthen and going into the first game with Salomon (Rondon) suspended as well makes it very clear that it might be one of the areas we look at.”
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Lampard was also asked whether there was any interest in Everton-linked trio Amadou Onana, Idrissa Gueye and Conor Coady. He said: “I think you know the answer. I’m sure you’ve got to ask the question but it’s standard procedure, and only right and respectful, to not speak about other players individually.
“But we know where we want to get to and I think it’s better to keep that private at this point even though that’s not the answer that you want.”
Everton’s spending over the past couple of years has been tempered by Financial Fair Play restrictions but Lampard insisted he doesn’t have to offload any of his current squad to make further additions. He said: “No, there’s no ‘have to’ about it.
“It’s a continued assessment and balance of the squad that you think is competitive in terms of number and in terms of quality. Not too big in terms of numbers because that can be a problem but I’m not at the stage where it’s that cut and dry - we have to assess it as we go along.”
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