Sign, Sell, Avoid – Everton’s next signings as assessed by Yankuba Minteh and Dominic Calvert-Lewin

This was always going to be a busy summer for Everton.

Regardless of the club’s financial situation, these crucial months represent an important opportunity for director of football Kevin Thelwell to add depth to what is a struggling squad. With several players leaving on big deals that were agreed upon prior to his arrival, there is also more room for him to continue to reshape this group.

Managing those players still available isn’t easy either. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is hugely valuable to Everton but if they opt against signing a new deal then the club will have to weigh up the risk of losing a key man for free in 12 months or taking the money and trying to find a replacement now . Then there’s the matter of dealing with the interest in Jarrad Branthwaite and Amadou Onana, which we’ve already seen – as well as juggling all that while trying to stay on top of the Profit and Sustainability Regulation (PSR).

READ MORE: Everton starlet completes move to Aston Villa just 24 hours after opposite transfer announced

READ MORE: Record-breaking teenager shares why he joined Everton

SIGNAL

Everton have already moved forward with several key bids. The signing of Tim Iroegbunam from Aston Villa was a surprise – as was Villa’s interest in Lewis Dobbin. Now, the deals have been done both ways. For Everton, Iroegbunam is a useful capture. Sean Dyche likes to play three in the middle but has little depth in that position – even less so with Andre Gomes not offered a new deal and academy prospect Lewis Warrington set to leave without a chance to help in that department. The 20-year-old may not be ready for a big role, but he could have an opportunity to act as cover and grow from there. If Amadou Onana leaves and there is interest in him, Everton may need another option in the middle, but Iroegbunam is a good start.

Another solid piece of work is the business going forward for Jack Harrison who returns on another loan from Leeds United. He enjoyed his time at Everton last season, Dyche has faith in him and the Blues are desperately short of wide options, with Dobbin’s departure leaving Dwight McNeil as the only wide player at the club. It would help if there could be further additions out wide, with pace sorely lacking at the club. For this reason, links to Yankuba Minteh this weekend are welcome. He would represent the acquisition of a young player who has first-team experience and the potential to develop into a star. Any move will only be possible if Dominic Calvert-Lewin leaves for Minteh’s club Newcastle United, allowing room for negotiations that could make any switch easier. This would be a major risk for Everton, although Thelwell’s position becomes tough if the striker decides not to sign the new deal on offer. Regardless of whether Calvert-Lewin goes or not, I like the idea of ​​the club looking at Iliman Ndiaye at Marseille. He has long been on the club’s radar and could be a really useful option in a supporting striker role, allowing Abdoulaye Doucoure to provide deeper support in midfield. He could be handy behind Calvert-Lewin if he stays on Merseyside – or even in his place up front if he leaves.

SELL

Amadou Onana is a tremendously talented player who remains valuable to Everton. But there is a clear understanding that he is considering a step forward in his career at some point in the coming years. “In previous tournaments you have seen players who have done well step up to the top clubs. It’s something I strive for. I feel like showing off at the European summit. This European Championship is the stage,” he said Het Laatse Nieuws recently.

As it stands, he’s not one of Dyche’s regulars – we saw that in April when he didn’t start any of the three games in the week of victories that redefined the end of Everton’s season. There is a sense that Everton do not play a style that suits them and that is unlikely to change in the near future. Clubs are interested in him and if a serious bid is made, a win-win deal could be possible, with a big fee being useful for Everton from a PSR perspective. I think Everton are stronger with Onana in the team and will have a successful career – but if a big money offer comes along then it might be pragmatic to accept it.

Everton’s PSR position could be helped by lower sales – as we saw with Lewis Dobbin’s. Two players whose futures are truly uncertain at Everton are Neal Maupay and Mason Holgate. Both spent last season on loan and it is hard to see either of them making their way into the heart of Dyche’s plans, so I would expect the club to seriously consider offers for either, Brentford still having the option to return for Maupay after his loan there. the last season.

AVOID

What Everton must avoid is having to do too much in the transfer window with the limited resources at their disposal. Work to prevent that has already been done, with Seamus Coleman and Idrissa Gueye extending their stays on Merseyside and Ashley Young looking likely to do the same.

Should a firm bid be made for Calvert-Lewin, Everton would be placed in a difficult position if they choose not to sign a new deal. The reality is they couldn’t replace his quality or experience with the resources they have this summer. Therefore, any sale should only be considered if Everton are confident that – either through the fee received or through negotiations for a player from the buying club – they will not be left too vulnerable in terms of goalscoring. They should also avoid being bullied over Jarrad Branthwaite and refuse to allow Manchester United to force a sale that, at the very least, does not significantly benefit the club.