Fabrizio Romano is the man who most football fans rush to if they seek an update on their club’s transfer fortunes, but with Everton, he has not been so surefire.
After all, with Mohammed Kudus, Luis Diaz and Arnaut Danjuma (the first time), his seal of approval only acted as a disappointing reminder of how supposedly close they came to acquiring such talent.
So, his comments regarding the Toffees are always now taken with a pinch of salt, after these examples have drawn scepticism.
However, it is hard not to buy into what he says, when the updates are so positive.
Fabrizio Romano provides Jaden Philogene update
Speaking on a Playback live stream (6 July) just yesterday, the Italian journalist honed in on one of Everton’s transfer targets as he offered an update on the future of Jaden Philogene.
A sought-after individual, the Hull City winger has been courted by some high-profile clubs including Everton, and they are already facing opposition from two other Premier League clubs for his services.
And despite reports suggesting that Barcelona wanted Philogene, that is a deal that has since died out, leaving only English sides in the race.
That’s where Romano provided his update, actually revealing just how far along these sides are from striking a deal.
He claimed: ‘Philogene has three options: Everton, Ipswich and Crystal Palace.
‘All the clubs are prepared to meet the conditions asked for by the club [Hull]. So let’s see what the player decides.’
Would Jaden Philogene be a good Everton signing?
Whilst he would definitely bring the skill, trickery and dynamism that Sean Dyche’s side perhaps lacks, for £17m, this could be a huge risk.
Especially given the recent antics that have gone on in Spain, with Philogene’s agent pictured in Barcelona trying to force through a move with an odd photoshoot outside the ground.
This is not ideal for a team trying to convince the 22-year-old that the Toffees is where he belongs, but the lack of interest from Catalan giants has opened the door.
It’s just whether Dyche is now still interested, given how easily it was for his head to be turned.
Last season, Philogene was his side’s top scorer with 12 Championship goals, assisting a further six, and being lauded as a ‘special player‘ by journalist Bence Bocsak.
He did so with great style as well, which does make him a promising prospect.
However, given how his representatives have acted of late, there must be newfound doubts over this deal, despite Romano’s recent update.
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