Everton, despite a period of calm, have now emerged back into the fore as they seek to bolster their squad once again before the transfer window slams shut.
Kevin Thelwell has been working relentlessly to ensure that Sean Dyche has the best possible squad to achieve progression, having finished 15th last season in the Premier League.
Had it not been for their deductions, that standing would have been 12th too.
So, that latter position is the one that the Toffees will want to beat, and their squad is already looking stronger despite their rough start to the season.
But, having finally claimed a much-needed win over Doncaster Rovers last night, and with even more new signings now on the horizon, things are looking up once again.
Everton want another midfielder as well as Orel Mangala
Everton have booked a medical for Orel Mangala, suggesting that this particular deal is all but tied up.
The Belgian, who most recently played for Nottingham Forest before joining Lyon, is due to move on loan with a hefty buy option should he impress.
It marks another shrewd piece of business from Thelwell that deserves lauding.
However, revered transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed that this is not the only target that Dyche wants to bolster his engine room.
The Italian would write: ‘Understand Everton also asked for Sofyan Amrabat today but difficult deal.’
It remains to be seen whether Everton want one or both of these midfield targets, but the implication is that it is the latter.
How good is Everton target Sofyan Amrabat?
Everyone will know how impressive and lofty Amrabat’s ceiling can be, having watched him lead his Moroccan team through a legendary World Cup run in 2022.
He, at the heart of their midfield, typified everything that was great about them, the first African country ever to reach the semi-finals of the competition.
A full-blooded and relentless powerhouse, who added a touch of technical prowess to his game as well, if he were to play every game like he did in the World Cup, he would be instantly loved by Goodison Park.
However, upon earning his move to Manchester United, it quickly became clear that consistency was a problem for the 28-year-old.
Making just 21 Premier League appearances, ten of which were starts, he struggled to offer much creatively, and lacked that all-action defensive work rate which endeared him to fans in Qatar as well.
He failed to score or assist, maintained an 88% pass accuracy, and only mustered 1.3 tackles per game. A really disappointing return, despite having been branded as ‘rock solid’ by Fiorentina, his own club, in 2021.
Mangala, meanwhile, managed better figures in all of those metrics during his first season at Nottingham Forest.
If they have to choose between just one, then surely the Belgian makes more sense. However, if they are to snag both, hopefully Amrabat’s is just a loan, where he has to prove his worth before being tied down to a long-term contract.
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