Everton have been handed a real boost in their pursuit of signing Southampton’s Tyler Dibling.
David Moyes will now be pushing for new faces to land before their opening game of the season against Leeds United.
Attacking reinforcement is still needed at Everton, with only Thierno Barry brought in as a new face on the front line.
Everton are keen to sign Dibling from Southampton to add an exciting young option at right wing.
It is a position that Moyes has been pushing the Friedkins to improve since he walked through the doors in January.
Dibling will not play for Southampton vs Wrexham in their Championship curtain raiser on Saturday, but he is not the only target to be omitted from his squad amid Everton interest.
Everton target Omari Hutchinson omitted from Ipswich Town’s squad
With a deal for Dibling looking extremely complicated, Everton have Omari Hutchinson on their radar as a potential alternative.
It is not just the Blues who are interested in signing Hutchinson, with Brentford having already seen a bid rejected.
With speculation over his future rife, Hutchinson was not included in Ipswich’s squad for their draw on Friday night against Birmingham City.
Ipswich came from behind to secure a point on the road in the first game following their Premier League relegation.
Hutchinson is also of interest to Nottingham Forest, who have also seen a £35m bid knocked back by the Tractor Boys.
Everton have a big decision to make as to which winger they are going to go after this summer.
Southampton’s CEO is playing hardball over Dibling, but the youngster is pushing for an exit, which could well work in Everton’s favour.
What Kieran McKenna said about Hutchinson’s absence
Will Still admitted Dibling wouldn’t play due to his transfer situation.
This was not the case with Hutchinson, as Kieran McKenna claimed the youngster was suffering from illness.
“He’s not very well, he had a throat infection. Nothing untoward or anything,” he said to the media on Friday.
“He was in training Monday and Tuesday getting ready for the game, but had to go home with a temperature and a throat infection and hopefully he’ll recover over the weekend.”
Only time will tell whether this is the real reason, but he is another player who is being lined up with a return to the Premier League.
McKenna thinks Hutchinson will remain at Ipswich this season.
If he is sharing a similar stance to Dibling, then his absence could well offer a lot to read into ahead of the final weeks of the window.
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