Everton have bigger fish to fry than focusing on transfers at the moment, even if their squad is far from strong enough to avoid the drop with ease.
One or two key injuries and they could find themselves floundering in the bottom three, with that goal made no easier by the Premier League’s unrelenting attempts to relegate them.
Well, it seems that despite all the turmoil surrounding Goodison Park, they remain on the trail for one star, with Kalvin Phillips seemingly still on their radar.
The Manchester City midfielder has been out of favour with Pep Guardiola for some time now, and is seeking pastures new to reignite a stuttering career.
Perhaps Sean Dyche might be the perfect man to recapture the player he once was at Leeds United.
Are Everton close to signing Kalvin Phillips?
Such a suggestion was outlined by Sky Sports, who updated the fans of several Premier League clubs, all of whom hold an interest in the 28-year-old.
Given how admirably he performed both in Yorkshire and for his country, it is no surprise that there remains interest despite the star having failed to make a league start this campaign.
The England international would still mark a fine addition to Everton’s threadbare squad though, with Amadou Onana certain to benefit from his potential presence.
Sky Sports reported: ‘Transfer news concerning Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips because Crystal Palace, Everton, Newcastle, West Ham and Juventus are all interested in him.
‘The midfielder is on the market this month. City would prefer to sell but a loan move has not yet been ruled out. They would want a loan fee though, and that’s thought to be around £5m and most, if not all, of his £135k-per-week wages paid in full.
‘Now several of these clubs are believed to have made an initial approach to City to register their interest, however it remains to be seen what kind of deal that they’re prepared to offer. Nothing formal has yet been submitted to the Champions.’
How good is Amadou Onana?
As a towering enforcer just as capable of spraying a pass as he is making a huge tackle, Onana has grown into an integral cog for Dyche.
The 6 foot 4 maestro remains the club’s most accurate passer in the league (85%), yet blends his technical proficiency with a work rate best exemplified by his 2.6 tackles and 6.6 ball recoveries per game.
Should Phillips come and recapture his form of old, it could help unlock the 22-year-old and allow him to reach new heights, offering a freedom to allow him to push on and exercise his quality in more dangerous areas of the pitch.
After all, as a defensive midfielder during Leeds United’s return 2020/21 season to the top flight, he would manage 1.2 key passes as well as 2.6 tackles per game, having been appropriately branded an ‘animal‘ by journalist Phil Hay.
With the perfect blend of creativity and physicality, the Premier League would not be ready for this pairing.
Receive a digest of our best Everton content each week direct to your mailbox
