With the signing of James Tarkowski all but confirmed, Frank Lampard and Director of Football Kevin Thelwell continue to work behind the scenes to prepare for potential transfer business this summer.
The duo will have to work smart, with funds reportedly tight at Goodison Park as Everton continue to deal with Financial Fair Play barometers and manage the move to their future Bramley-Moore Dock stadium.
With a number of fringe players under contract, and unlikely to be moved on due to their wages, the Blues may have to compromise in some of their summer business.
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However, they continue to be linked with a host of new faces along with speculation regarding departures from the club.
We have rounded up the latest Everton transfer gossip below.
Who?
Richarlison
Where?
What?
Chelsea have reportedly joined the race for Richarlison and jumped ahead of Arsenal and Tottenham as favourites for his signature.
Everton’s talisman is valued at upwards of £50m, although the club are willing to listen to offers for the Brazilian international this summer. And Thomas Tuchel’s side are looking to revamp their attacking options under new ownership after an underwhelming season for many of their forwards. £97.5m record signing Romelu Lukaku is also set to re-join Inter Milan on loan after a hugely disappointing return to Stamford Bridge.
Richarlison, along with Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling, are seen as ideal options to help make Chelsea’s attack more mobile this summer following a third placed finish.
Tottenham were originally thought to be favourites for the Brazilian’s signature, with Arsenal also keen. Richarlison scored 10 Premier League goals last season and was crucial in the Toffees’ late season revival, scoring in wins over Crystal Palace and Chelsea. He has netted 53 times in 152 appearances since a £35m move to Goodison Park from Watford in 2018.
Speaking last month when on international duty with Brazil, Richarlison sent a cryptic message regarding his future. He said: "I’ve already made it clear to the board. I’ve already talked to Lampard too, with my agents and they know what I want. Let’s wait for June.
"Now I can’t talk, because when we talk about leaving a club I’m kind of like this, because of the history I have at Everton, the affection that the fans have for me. When we talk about leaving I’m a little speechless."
Who?
Owen Wijndal
Where?
What?
Everton are reportedly chasing the signing of Dutch defender Owen Wijndal. The left-back, who plies his trade for AZ Alkmaar and captains the side, is of interest to Lampard.
Wijndal, 22, has made 142 appearances for the club, while he has also won 11 caps for the Netherlands. Despite a disappointing campaign for AZ, where they finished fifth in the Eredivisie, the defender contributed 10 assists and one goal in 31 league games.
And according to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, Wijndal is attracting interest from Everton, Ajax, Seville and Napoli. He would be available for a relatively modest fee of £8.6m and was recently linked with Tottenham, although the interest from Antonio Conte’s side has since cooled. He would be expected to provide competition for Vitalii Mykolenko and returning loanee Niels Nkounkou on the left-side of Lampard’s defence.
Who?
Hamza Choudhury
Where?
What?
Everton are reportedly lining up a bid for Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury, according to reports.
The 24-year-old came through the youth ranks at the King Power Stadium and has made 84 appearances since debuting for the Foxes in 2017. However, his career is at a crossroads having fallen down the pecking order under Brendan Rodgers. Choudhury made just 12 appearances in all competitions last season and is into the final year of his contract.
He is unlikely to be offered a new deal and will hope to revitalise a career away from Leicester that has included 53 Premier League appearances. Choudhury would provide depth and competition in a problem area of the pitch for Everton as Lampard looks to reshape the spine of his squad. But they will face competition for his signature from Nottingham Forest and Championship side West Brom, according to The Mirror.
