Everton fans will have been busy this week rooting out white shirts and scarves as they turn their gaze on Paris on Saturday.
After their dramatic Premier League survival victory for Real Madrid over the red half of Merseyside would cap a near perfect end to the season. Toffee fans will also be hoping for a very different campaign and with Frank Lampard set to be active in the transfer market they may get their wishes.
Despite the transfer window still having another fortnight before it creaks open, the rumours, news and gossip are already coming in thick and fast and Mirror Football has taken a look at the latest batch coming out of Goodison Park…
RICHARLISON EXIT LOOKS LIKELY
Real Madrid, PSG and Tottenham are all reportedly interested in signing Everton forward Richarlison.
The Brazilian’s six goals and on assist were pivotal in keeping the saving the Toffees season. However, with just two years remaining on his contract, speculation persists that he may move elsewhere in the summer, even with Everton's blessing.
Real, PSG and Spurs are all monitoring the situation with an extension to his existing deal unlikely at this stage. Everton are not in a position to offer a pay-rise, while cashing in on the 25-year-old may suit all parties.
LOAN TO BE MADE PERMANENT
Sunderland are preparing a permanent deal for Everton striker Nathan Broadhead.
Broadhead, 24, enjoyed an excellent loan spell at the Stadium of Light and was a key part of their promotion from League One. And with the Black Cats finally escaping the clutches of League One, securing promotion against Wycombe Wanderers in the League One playoff final, a deal looks a good fit all round. Broadhead is too good to be sat on the bench at a Premier League club, but is also too good to be playing League One football next season.
He is a Championship striker in the making and with Sunderland’s promotion, a move to Wearside looks ideal.
STAKES ARE HIGH FOR FOREST AT WEMBLEY
Everton are not the only club keeping a close eye on how Nottingham Forest get promoted to the Premier League with the future of Brennan Johnson in the balance.
If Steve Cooper’s men get past Huddersfield in the Championship play off Johnson, 21, may be taken out of the shop window. But it seems clear with several top flight clubs hovering that he will not stay if they fail to make it through the multi-million pound game. The Mail report that Frank Lampard has thrown Everton’s hat in the ring but the canvas is becoming a crowded place.
MOSHIRI URGED TO LEARN FROM PREVIOUS MISTAKES
Farhad Moshiri has been urged to avoid bidding for likely Newcastle departure Miguel Almiron and avoid the mistakes of the past.
This summer will see the Toffees try and revolutionise the way they recruit players. Lampard will be looking for value as opposed to spending large transfer fees on underperforming high-earners.
The £25million they invested in Toffee flop Jean-Philippe Gbamin is an prime example cited where the alternative might have been to pick up three or four young players from the Championship who could’ve been developed.
