Work has already begun at Goodison on ensuring Everton don’t find themselves mired in another relegation battle after an embarrassing - and costly - campaign stuck at the bottom of the Premier League.
The Toffees' lowly 16th-placed finish lost them millions in unearned prize money and also reduced TV appearances, and missing out on Europe - which was the aim before the start of the season - also leaves a hole in the coffers, with the club basing projections on that prospect. Owner Farhad Moshiri responded even before the end of the season by appointing a new director of football in Kevin Thelwell, and one of the first tasks for the former Wolves man is to help Frank Lampard fill roles at the club in the recruitment and medical departments which were left vacant because of changes by former boss Rafa Benitez.
But Thelwell must also try to strengthen Frank Lampard’s squad, without having the huge sums of money which surely look necessary to improve a team which has struggled over the past few years. Lampard has indicated he will swiftly get down to business in an attempt to reshape his team before the start of the new campaign, and will also ask for the war chest to bring in new faces... even if much of that comes from outgoing sales.
That money could come through a busy summer of transfer dealing. Several players will leave when their contracts are up, including Jonjo Kenny and Cenk Tosun, and there are also question marks about some of his biggest stars, with the likes of Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin attracting interest. Mirror Sport has the latest Everton transfer news and gossip from across the media, including updates on two more potential defensive signings, plus one in midfield.
Everton interested in midfielder
Lampard has made no secret of his desire to bring more mobility into his midfield, with Allan out of favour and Andre Gomes heading for the exit door - if he can find a buyer. Fabian Delph also looks certain to depart, as he reaches the end of his contract, with Lampard unlikely to renew, given the veteran’s scant number of appearances because of injury issues over the past two seasons.
Lampard MUST sign a defensive midfielder this summer, and HITC claims Tottenham may be just about to offload the perfect man, with reports suggesting Antonio Conte will allow England star Harry Winks to leave. Lampard is a confirmed admirer of the 26-year-old, praising him several times while working as a TV pundit covering England matches, and the player’s ease in moving the ball quickly through the midfield would suit the new manager’s desire to play a faster, pressing based game.
Blues eying move for defender, two linked
It will be a busy summer for Lampard, it seems. Another area where he has had problems is in the centre of defence, with Yerry Mina’s injury issues a huge problem, and he has been linked with not one, but two centre halves after struggling in that position all season.
Have Your Say! Who should Everton keep and sell this summer? Join the debate here.
The Athletic reports that Everton are in the running for much admired Brentford defender Kristoffer Ajer, who has been one of the big reasons behind the London club’s excellent Premier League campaign this season. But the Norway international will not be allowed to leave cheaply, and with the Blues' finance concerns, they may well have to sell to buy.
That doesn’t stop excitable Spanish outlet Sport linking Everton with the Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet, though given the issues with signing Gomes and Mina from that club, it would seem a risky decision. Barca apparently want around £15m for the France international, but at that price, the Blues could face rivalry from other English clubs, with both Arsenal and Spurs linked with a move for the defender. Given Everton’s current position, it seems unlikely he would choose Goodison.
City show real interest in top Toffees talent
Finally, it wouldn’t be a transfer round up without some interest from somewhere in an Everton player... and given the club’s financial position, it makes sense they would sell. But this is slightly surprising, with the Mail claiming that Manchester City are showing real interest in the Blues’ teenage centre half Jarrad Branthwaite, who has made just a handful of senior appearances for Everton, and before that Carlisle.
Manchester United were also previously linked, and the report suggests City see great potential in the England U20 defender, even though he blotted his Goodison copybook slightly with a red card during a crucial game with Brentford to get himself suspended at the end of the season.
