Everton are keen to overhaul their midfield ranks.
Hayden Hackney has already joined from Middlesbrough, and now Everton are showing an interest in Parma’s Mandela Keita.
Now Hackney is confirmed, who should Everton be bringing in next? 💰
Time to take our foot off the brake pedal in the market…
David Moyes is in the market for an Idrissa Gana Gueye replacement, as the 36-year-old appears to have left upon the expiry of his contract.
However, Leeds United have now joined the race and are looking to beat the Toffees to Keita’s signature.
Everton must fend off interest from Leeds for Mandela Keita
After being outpriced in a deal to sign Southampton star Shea Charles, Leeds have now turned their attention to Keita, according to Gazzetta Dello Sport.
Everton are now expected to face stiff competition from Daniel Farke’s men, who have already nabbed Harry Wilson from under their noses.
The Friedkin Group simply cannot allow another target to join Leeds as it’d send out all the wrong messages ahead of the new season.
It may not seem massively detrimental if Keita were to pop up at Elland Road, but it could genuinely have a negative impact on the club’s business.
Mahrez has just left Al-Ahli… should Everton sign him on a free? 👀
Any forthcoming targets could be put off by a move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium if they feel the team isn’t being strengthened enough.
Moyes and his chiefs have to pitch an exciting project, otherwise they’ll struggle to get top class players through the door at Finch Farm.
They’re already in an uphill battle considering they are not in Europe and the likes of Brighton, Bournemouth and Sunderland are.
If the Toffees are to get back into Europe, they have to start winning these transfer battles and continue to build on the positive momentum from the Hackney deal.
That way, they’ll have an easier time of it trying to attract new targets later on in the window.
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