Barcelona have now submitted a bid to sign £17m Everton target who Kevin Thelwell admires

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Everton have already enjoyed a busy transfer window thus far, and it seems that they are far from finished conducting their business.

After all, Sean Dyche will be desperate to ensure that last season was their last with relegation as a threat, likely instructing the club that a few key additions, within PSR’s restrictions, could prove pivotal in solidifying the squad.

Well, those alterations already seem to have been made, with Tim Iroegbunam, Jack Harrison and Iliman Ndiaye soon to mark a hat trick of shrewd signings.

There could have even been a fourth just around the corner, were it not for new interest from none other than Barcelona.

Everton show interest in Jaden Philogene

It is hard to compete with an institution the size and stature of the Catalan giants, and so when they show interest in a player, success is often assured.

Even if they are not quite the dominant force that they once were, to discount their allure marks a foolish mistake.

So, despite Everton having shown interest in Hull City’s Jaden Philogene, their reluctance to act could prove pivotal, as it has afforded Barcelona scope to swoop in despite that report outlining Kevin Thelwell’s interest in the youngster.

The latest comes via Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg, who writes: ‘Been told the interest of FC Barcelona in Jaden #Philogene is very concrete now! Excl. Detail: @FCBarcelona have submitted an offical offer to Hull City!

‘One year loan with an obligation to buy (which is tied to certain conditions such as playing time) in 2025 of around €20-23m (£17m-19.4m)!

‘Contract of the 22 y/o talented winger is valid until 2026. Barcelona have analyzed him in detail.’

Kevin Thelwell’s transfer plan shows positive changes

First Everton tried to sign Yankuba Minteh, and now Philogene. It is quite clear the type of winger that Thelwell is eyeing this summer.

It marks a refreshing change from the usual targets who the Toffees pine after, progressing from signing high-profile stars on big, lucrative contracts and now turning their attention to young, up-and-coming prospects with real sell-on value.

Naturally, battling with Barcelona is always going to be a tough task, but at the very least this proposed move showcases that Everton are at least looking in the right places.

This shift in transfer strategy was much-needed after years of reckless spending under Farhad Moshiri, and it is frustrating that it has taken such PSR unrest to provoke such a change.

But, Thelwell must be lauded for the efforts he has made towards turning this club into a stable Premier League outfit once again, even if they fail in the race to sign Philogene.