Everton look to be closing in on their second signing of the summer in the form of Kenny Tete.
It was reported earlier today that Everton have reached a verbal agreement with Tete, whose contract is about to expire at Fulham.
It is a positive move by Everton, who are turning over a high number of players this summer.
Ashley Young left the club as a free agent, and Seamus Coleman could well hang up his boots and join David Moyes on the coaching staff.
Right-back is a priority position at the moment for Everton, so a move for the experienced Tete is positive.
But Everton are also looking to sign a right winger – and there is potentially one player out there who could be a great fit.
Everton should move for Johan Bakayoko – if they haven’t already
Reinforcing the right flank is paramount for Everton, with the departures of Young, Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom.
Tete is a really good addition for Moyes. Perhaps he is not the most flashy option, but this summer is all about Everton being smart.
If there are free signings who can come in and do a good job now, Everton must jump at those opportunities. Doing so will mean more money can be spent elsewhere.
Tete will need someone to operate in front of him, and Moyes ought to consider Johan Bakayoko from PSV Eindhoven.
Bakayoko scored 12 goals and made three assists in 47 appearances across all competitions last season, as PSV won the Eredivisie title.
Ultimately Everton were found wanting in the final third too often last season, and the wide players did not cover themselves in glory, except for Iliman Ndiaye. Unfortunately, Dwight McNeil missed a chunk of the season through injury.
As per Opta Analyst, Bakayoko ‘excels with the ball at his feet, driving forward with carries or beating his man’ and crucially, he ‘combines this forward drive with attacking output’.
There has also previously been suggestions of defensive work rate, with Football Talent Scout saying ‘his defensive positioning is still very improvable but he’s active and tenacious in pressing’. He’s also described as ‘incredibly explosive over the first metres’.
Interestingly, it has been claimed by Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu that Bakayoko actually currently has an offer on the table from a Premier League club.
That club is unnamed as yet, so who knows if it’s Everton. But if it isn’t, Moyes could do much worse than to try and sign Bakayoko for Everton.
Bakayoko has been linked with Everton before
Bakayoko is a player Everton have reportedly had eyes on before.
Journalist Sacha Tavoleiri said in the summer of 2023: “#EvertonFC – one of both clubs currently in talks for Johan #Bakayoko – set to make an official approach to #PSV Eindhoven in the coming hours. #PSG has not left the race yet.”
There have obviously been a number of changes at Everton at boardroom level.
But hopefully there is still some interest there in Bakayoko, who really could shine in the Premier League.
A right side of Tete at the back and Bakayoko as the winger would certainly have a much stronger feel to it than any combination of Young, Harrison, Coleman and Lindstrom.
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