Everton face another crucial summer in the transfer market as they attempt to trim a bloated squad and bring together a group that will be fit for purpose.
This will be a summer of low risk, sticking to what is known and where the resources that are available will be focused on the key problem areas. With money tight, Blues boss Sean Dyche has already said he will not have the sort of “war chest” some of his predecessors enjoyed, free agents and the loan market will likely be of particular interest.
The ECHO understands that securing new attacking options and cover at left-back are the club’s main priorities this summer. While a new back-up goalkeeper could also be required following the departure of Asmir Begovic.
But could there be any potential targets who have just dropped down a division? Four members of the ECHO sportsdesk have had their say on who Everton should target from the clubs relegated to the Sky Bet Championship last season...
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Chris Beesley: He doesn’t play in one of Everton’s priority positions in the transfer market this summer but Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse looks the most-talented of the players who could potentially be plucked from Premier League clubs.
While he’s not the striker the Blues so sorely need, the 28-year-old could also bring some much-needed goals to a team that netted just 34 times in 38 Premier League matches last term having struck 11 times from midfield in both of the last two campaigns. The England international is also an expert from dead ball situations – as we know all too well from his 78th minute winner at Goodison Park back in January having earlier equalised for the Saints.
He’s now just one goal away from equalling David Beckham’s record for the most goals from free-kicks in Premier League history (18) so he’ll be itching for a top flight return.
So let’s get Ward-Prowse up to Merseyside to join Dominic Calvert-Lewin in Sean Dyche’s double-barrel brigade because there are far too many at St Mary’s with Kyle Walker-Peters, Ainsley-Maitland-Niles, Duje Caleta-Car and Armel Bella-Kotchap all joining him in the hosts’ starting line-up when the Blues triumphed there 2-1 last season!
Matt Jones: The position at the top of Everton's shopping list this summer is obvious - striker.
However, given the constraints of this particular exercise, there aren't many forwards from those sides relegated who would necessarily fit the bill for the Blues.
Jamie Vardy is clearly a faded force at Leicester City, Rodrigo is a huge talent but has suffered his injury issues - and is seemingly on his way to Sevilla - at Leeds United, while Che Adams at Southampton doesn't appear to be the right fit for Sean Dyche's brand of football.
So the best goalscoring solution from the three sides that went down may well come from wide areas, where James Maddison and Harvey Barnes frequently played for the Foxes. And given the former of that duo looks destined for Tottenham Hotspur, Everton's top choice would surely be Barnes in an ideal world.
In a toiling Leicester team, the 25-year-old scored 13 times last season in the Premier League, offering a final product from the flanks to go with his thrust in possession. Barnes is also seemingly at home at Goodison Park too, scoring on his last two visits to the stadium.
With European competitors Aston Villa and West Ham United said to be in for Barnes, it looks likely he will be out of Everton's reach. But he would undoubtedly be the dream addition from those three sides the Toffees just edged out last month.
Connor O’Neill: He is by no means the finished product, but I would go for Wilfried Gnonto this summer.
Gnonto has been linked with a host of clubs from both the Premier League and Serie A this summer in the wake of Leeds’ relegation to the Championship. Everton, of course, has been one of them.
The 19-year-old enjoyed an impressive debut season at Elland Road despite Leeds' struggles in the Premier League. Gnonto scored four goals and provided four assists for Leeds after signing from FC Zurich last summer.
Normally, a player of the calibre of Gnonto would come at a high price. However, the recent report suggesting that a number of Leeds players have relegation clauses in their contracts should give Everton hope that they can secure themselves a bargain this summer.
Paul Wheelock: I’m hoping Seamus Coleman puts pen to paper on a new contract, and if the Everton captain does that, then Sean Dyche will start pre-season with two strong options at right-back. However, Vitalii Mykolenko needs competition on the opposite side and, along with up front, left-back has to be the transfer priority for Blues boss Dyche this summer. However, we cannot expect Coleman to play week in, week out - although when he played last season he was one of the strongest Everton performers - and, unfortunately, as promising as Patterson is, a lot of his time at Goodison Park has so far been blighted by injury. That’s why I’d make a move for Kyle Walker-Peters from Southampton.
Yes, his natural position is at right-back, but he has proven in his time with the Saints that he is a capable left-back as well. At just 26, and a full England international, and with the likes of Champions League-bound Newcastle United also said to be interested in his services, the Blues may need to shell out a decent fee to sign Walker-Peters. But he’d be an excellent addition who can play and start on either flank.
My other nomination would be Rodrigo Moreno from Leeds United. I’m not sure Everton should be signing 32-year-olds, but with finances said to be tight, the fact that the Spain international could be available for just £3m thanks to a relegation release clause is very tempting, especially considering he’s just come off the back of an excellent season for Leeds, scoring 15 goals in 35 appearances.
