Opinion

Aston Villa could still help Everton sign £17m target despite winning Harry Wilson race

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Everton appear to have missed out on a target in Harry Wilson.

Wales Online believe Aston Villa will be signing Wilson on a free transfer this summer once his contract at Fulham expires – a real coup for Unai Emery considering the Welshman has netted ten goals and provided six assists in 31 Premier League appearances so far this season.

While that is undoubtedly a blow for David Moyes and the Toffees, Aston Villa could actually help Everton land Arthur Atta from Udinese after an update from Gazzetta dello Sport.

Don’t hold back, let us know who you want gone this summer 👋

Thierno Barry of Everton during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Everton. Tyler Dibling of Everton looks on during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Everton. Carlos Alcaraz appears after the Premier League match between Leeds United and Everton.
Credit: Getty Images/James Gill – Danehouse/Carl Recine/Pat Scaasi/MI News/NurPhoto.

How Aston Villa can help Everton sign Arthur Atta

It was Tuttosport who claimed earlier in April that Everton want Atta to bolster the midfield department this summer.

However, a story in the paper version of Gazzetta dello Sport (via Mondo Napoli) now states that the Frenchman is aiming to join a club in the UEFA Champions League if he is to leave Udinese.

That competition seems out of reach for Everton now after losing the Merseyside derby last time out, but sixth place could still be enough for UEFA Champions League qualification if Aston Villa win the UEFA Europa League.

With the Villans currently sitting comfortably in fourth place, they are set to earn qualification for the UEFA Champions League anyway, so the spot given as a prize for winning the UEFA Europa League would drop down to sixth place in the Premier League if Emery can win the competition this season.

There is still fierce competition for sixth place nonetheless – seven sides are within five points of Brighton, and Crystal Palace would make it eight if they win their game in hand.

Position Team Played MP Won W Drawn D Lost L For GF Against GA Diff GD Points Pts
1 ArsenalArsenal33 21 7 5 63 26 37 70
2 Manchester CityManchester City32 20 7 5 65 29 36 67
3 Manchester UnitedManchester United33 16 10 7 58 45 13 58
4 Aston VillaAston Villa33 17 7 9 47 41 6 58
5 LiverpoolLiverpool33 16 7 10 54 43 11 55
6 BrightonBrighton34 13 11 10 48 39 9 50
7 ChelseaChelsea34 13 9 12 53 45 8 48
8 BrentfordBrentford33 13 9 11 48 44 4 48
9 BournemouthBournemouth33 11 15 7 50 50 0 48
10 EvertonEverton33 13 8 12 40 39 1 47
11 SunderlandSunderland33 12 10 11 36 40 -4 46
12 FulhamFulham33 13 6 14 43 46 -3 45
13 Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace32 11 10 11 35 36 -1 43

Gazzetta dello Sport add that Napoli themselves want to sign Atta – who recently revealed his affection for Udinese – and the former Metz man is valued at €20m (£17m).

Incidentally, the Toffees could actually help to fund Napoli’s bid for the 23-year-old.

If you could bring back Richarlison or Lukaku, who would you go for? 👀

Former Everton strikers Richarlison and Romelu Lukaku.

Everton are interested in Romelu Lukaku – who Napoli are looking to sell this summer – so a move for the Belgian would hand those in Naples the cash needed to make a bid for Atta.