Now Everton are 'willing' to sign the Coventry City star as a priority to fix the key position
Everton are now believed to be fronting the Coventry City star as a 'solution' to one of the weaknesses in David Moyes' squad, according to a report.
Rumors of Everton's summer transfer plans are developing
Summer planning at Everton continues, and the broad outline of what Moyes wants to do is becoming clearer by the week.
Talks are set to keep Jack Grealish on a renegotiated basis, while Tyrique George has the remainder of the season to make a case for his £25m buyout option being triggered.
The European Toffees' push is the driving force behind what promises to be a truly important transfer window.
Everton sit in eighth place, level on points with Brentford but below them on goal difference, and three points behind fifth-placed Liverpool with six Premier League games remaining.
|
Everton's remaining Premier League fixtures in the European race |
The day |
|---|---|
|
Liverpool (home) |
April 19 |
|
West Ham (away) |
April 25 |
|
Man City (home) |
May 4 |
|
Crystal Palace (away) |
May 9 |
|
Sunderland (home) |
May 17 |
|
Tottenham (away) |
May 24 |
Whether they qualify for the Conference League, which could happen if Man City or Chelsea win the FA Cup while finishing in the top seven, could determine the level of investment they can afford.
Moyes will want to strengthen anyway, but the commercial value of European football will give the Friedkin Group more room to maneuver.
Everton are now hotly contested to sign Arteta's $44m Arsenal star
The Toffees entered the race.
Strengthening the right-back sits high on the list of priorities, and the latest report from Sports Boom today provides clarity on where Everton are focused.
Everton shortlist Coventry City star Millan van Ewijk as top summer target
The outlet reveal that the club have earmarked Millan van Ewijk as a solution to that position problem, with the Coventry City defender at the center of their recruitment targets in the area this summer.
Van Ewijk, 25, has had the best season of his career so far.
The Dutchman, who joined Coventry from Heerenveen for an estimated £3.4m in the summer of 2023, has been one of the Sky Blues' Championship leaders this term, providing 10 assists in 40 games and earning consistent praise for his strength, crossing ability and attacking intent down the right.
He signed a new contract with the club in February, which Coventry hope will protect him, and they have made it clear that he is not for sale.
Everton are apparently 'willing' to sign van Ewijk, with Moyes' side seeing him as the 'solution' to their right-back problem.
Everton's problem is that Coventry is heading to the Premier League regardless of the result.
Frank Lampard's side are heavy favorites to be champions of the competition, meaning van Ewijk will play in the top flight next season whether he stays at the CBS Arena or moves on.
Coventry have made a £25m bid for him, while Everton will face competition from Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Brighton in their bid to land him at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Seamus Coleman is nearing retirement at 38, Nathan Patterson has been linked with an exit, and Jake O'Brien – pressed into service at right back this season – is a full-back by trade rather than a natural fit in the role.
Whether Coventry's resistance proves to be the breaking point, and whether Everton can get past the other clubs monitoring the situation, will determine whether the deal comes to fruition.
The Premier League star is set to play for Everton next season as the Toffees hold transfer talks
Merseysiders have been given the power to hire.
