Everton are in pole position to finalize the loan acquisition of a “outrageous” player during the summer transfer window, according to a recent report. Everton Transfer News Sean Dyche is still looking for new acquisitions for the upcoming Premier League season, after bringing in a number of key players at the end of the 2023/24 season.
Jake O’Brien is Everton’s most expensive summer signing to far, joining from Lyon as a highly rated young centre-back, and he might form an exciting long-term defensive partnership with Jarrad Branthwaite once James Tarkowksi’s finest days are behind him. Iliman Ndiaye has also arrived from Marseille, in an exciting deal, while Jesper Lindstrom has arrived on loan from Napoli for the season, among other new signings.
That is not to say that the Blues’ summer transfer business is over, as AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze has been linked with a move to Goodison Park, where he is regarded as an exciting attacking option who can assist Dominic Calvert-Lewin, assuming he stays beyond the current window.
Everton are also rumored to be pursuing Colombia and Palmeiras midfielder Richard Rios as an option to Kalvin Phillips, who is expected to leave Manchester City on loan again this summer. Everton leads the race to sign “outrageous” players. According to Football Insider, Everton are leading the race to recruit Phillips on loan from City ahead of the 2024/25 season, with the 28-year-old not having a future at the Etihad.
The Toffees are ahead of Aston Villa in the queue and are working hard to sign him “to replace Amadou Onana after his £50 million move to Villa Park.” This is a very optimistic news from an Everton standpoint, even if there may be some reservations about Phillips considering his recent career decline.
Granted, he has never convinced in a City shirt, with Pep Guardiola seemingly undervaluing him, but he has demonstrated his abilities in the past, particularly for England and Leeds United, earning the nickname “superb” from Xavi. At 28, the midfielder is far from an aging player, and if Dyche can get the most out of him, the Blues could have a fantastic addition on their hands.
Former Everton hero John Stones certainly rates his £150,000-a-week club and international colleague highly, saying he has a “outrageous” range of passing, which is something not many would associate as his greatest asset. The fact that Phillips would be coming in on a free transfer takes away a lot of risk for the Merseysiders, allowing him to move on next summer if he fails to shine, but should he excel during his stint at Goodison Park, they could then look to snap him up on a permanent basis, getting several strong years out of him.
