Re: The Rebuild
Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2025 5:37 pm
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/f ... e-32154079
The club is currently active on multiple fronts but, eager to avoid being dragged into protracted negotiations, is trying to start talks by gauging whether a deal is genuinely realistic before committing to detailed discussions. Such talks are ongoing with Lyon over 20-year-old winger Malick Fofana but there is an acceptance competition is fierce for the Belgium international. Tyler Dibling, of relegated Southampton, is also of real interest.
Takefusa Kubo, another wide option, has been on the Blues’ radar but the club has taken a step back from launching a pursuit for the Real Sociedad star for the time being. Senior figures at the La Liga outfit have stressed they do not want to sell the 24-year-old and the club is operating from a position of strength with the Japan international having four years left on his deal and Sociedad having already secured a £51m fee for Martin Zubimendi, who moved to Arsenal this summer. Club sources continue to respond with surprise at the strength of reports in Italy linking them to Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz - but an experienced central midfielder is considered a priority.
There remains a sense this summer could throw up surprises and Everton could soon need to weigh up whether to compromise on some areas of its summer strategy, either by revisiting some players previously overlooked or by showing a willingness to spend a little more freely in order to secure targets.
For now, there is no panic - though there is an acceptance a lot of important work remains to be done. The club is, for instance, expected to utilise the loan market but that side of the transfer window is yet to gather momentum with parent clubs like Manchester City still hoping to bring in transfer fees for those on the periphery of their squads.
The club is currently active on multiple fronts but, eager to avoid being dragged into protracted negotiations, is trying to start talks by gauging whether a deal is genuinely realistic before committing to detailed discussions. Such talks are ongoing with Lyon over 20-year-old winger Malick Fofana but there is an acceptance competition is fierce for the Belgium international. Tyler Dibling, of relegated Southampton, is also of real interest.
Takefusa Kubo, another wide option, has been on the Blues’ radar but the club has taken a step back from launching a pursuit for the Real Sociedad star for the time being. Senior figures at the La Liga outfit have stressed they do not want to sell the 24-year-old and the club is operating from a position of strength with the Japan international having four years left on his deal and Sociedad having already secured a £51m fee for Martin Zubimendi, who moved to Arsenal this summer. Club sources continue to respond with surprise at the strength of reports in Italy linking them to Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz - but an experienced central midfielder is considered a priority.
There remains a sense this summer could throw up surprises and Everton could soon need to weigh up whether to compromise on some areas of its summer strategy, either by revisiting some players previously overlooked or by showing a willingness to spend a little more freely in order to secure targets.
For now, there is no panic - though there is an acceptance a lot of important work remains to be done. The club is, for instance, expected to utilise the loan market but that side of the transfer window is yet to gather momentum with parent clubs like Manchester City still hoping to bring in transfer fees for those on the periphery of their squads.