Everton’s new transfer strategy is already paying dividends, having avoided the drop with some ease last season, and now improved the squad massively this summer too.
Things are looking up, and have been made even more exciting due to their move into the Bramley-Moore Dock stadium at the end of the coming campaign.
Sean Dyche and co will hope to provide the best possible foundation for long-term success in that arena with a fine final year at Goodison Park, and these numerous transfers will certainly aid in that regard.
However, they have been handed a fresh blow in their pursuit of one target.
Everton dealt huge blow in Kalvin Phillips transfer
The latest on Everton’s interest in Kalvin Phillips comes courtesy of TEAMtalk, who actually suggest that they have been dealt a huge setback which might invoke Deja Vu for Evertonians.
After all, having battled so hard to snag Jaden Philogene from Hull City, clashing with Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace, Aston Villa just swanned in at the last minute and took him for a cut price.
And now, a similar fate could befall the Toffees, with the Birmingham outfit having sent an offer for the £42m Manchester City man.
The report reads: ‘Everton have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Manchester City star Kalvin Phillips, with Aston Villa reportedly submitting an offer for the midfielder.
‘Sources confirmed to TEAMtalk earlier this week that Everton have held talks with the England international’s representatives and the Cityzens over a potential move.
‘Everton’s preference would be to sign the 28-year-old on loan with an option to buy, but the Cityzens are reluctant to sanction another loan if it doesn’t include an obligation to buy.
‘But that hasn’t deterred Villa who have reportedly submitted a loan offer for Phillips, making them the first club to make a concrete move in the race.’
Would Kalvin Phillips make sense for Everton?
Whilst there are questions to be asked about why Villa want Phillips, given they have just spent £50m to snag Amadou Onana from Everton, there must also be scrutiny over why the Toffees would want to get wrapped up in this deal too.
After all, aside from wanting to plug that new vacancy, the 28-year-old hardly fits into Kevin Thelwell’s youth-focused transfer policy which has brought such recent success.
He is an ageing, wildly out-of-form midfielder who has just endured a terrible loan spell whilst seeking to reignite his career, and seems hopelessly lost at present.
Even if Dyche is the man to straighten him up, he will still only be putting in the hard work just for Manchester City to eventually reap the rewards.
Perhaps Everton might be better served opting for another young alternative and trusting in the quality they already have to plug that gap ad get them through another Premier League season.
Receive a digest of our best Everton content each week direct to your mailbox
