Free agents that Everton could target in the summer

by Gary McCarty  |   19/04/2024  1 Comments  [Jump to last]

Everton's summer transfer funds could likely be made up solely of any fees received from outgoing players. Off the back of the points deductions the club received this season, Sean Dyche will now have to tread carefully in the transfer market. 

With experienced stars like Seamus Coleman and Ashley Young likely to leave at the expiration of their contracts and several loans set to end, Everton will need several incomings before even considering replacing any players who are sold this summer. 

Everton must avoid relegation to set up an ideal summer

Everton must avoid relegation this season to avoid a catastrophic reality for the club of dropping down to the championship and to ensure they can attract top talent this summer to aid a long-term revival. 

All of the major bookmakers offer Everton as outsiders for relegation now including Matchbook which offers the Toffees at the shortest price of around 7/1 to be relegated. The site offers bonuses on the Premier League markets this season via the Matchbook Bonus Code which awards free bets in return for an initial stake. 

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Nottingham Forest and Luton Town are more likely than Everton to finish in the final relegation spot. If the season pans out as expected, the club will maintain their top-flight status which would allow them to attract high-quality players, although budget constraints are certainly an issue. 

Free agent additions could therefore spell the answer – there is set to be a wide range of quality available without the need to pay a transfer fee. 

Defensive options

Everton will lose at least two defenders this summer and that list could grow if reasonable bids are made for contracted players. With that in mind here are several free-agent options that potentially improve the squad.

Tosin Adarabioyo is set to depart Fulham at the end of the season when his contract expires. He is an excellent defender who is aerially dominant and confident on the ball. The English-Nigerian dual national could even cover right back for Dyche's side at times. 

Regardless of whether any central defenders depart, he could be a strong defensive asset for a team looking to work towards mid-table stability next campaign. 

Lloyd Kelly who could depart AFC Bournemouth would offer a similar level of proven Premier League quality and versatility. He is a ball-playing defender who can play centrally or out wide on the left side of defence. 

Free agent midfielders

The standout midfielder - set to become a free agent - that Everton could target is Wilfred Ndidi. He was one of the Premier League's top defensive midfielders just a few seasons ago. He could provide Dyche's midfield with a solid defensive base, allowing the players in front freedom to attack. 

In terms of box-to-box midfielders, Burnley's Josh Brownhill could be a smart acquisition as he is unlikely to renew terms with the Lancashire club with relegation almost a certainty. He could make an excellent squad option in place of Idrissa Gana Gueye who has an expiring contract. 

The goalkeeping and forward positions are arguably in a much better position than the defence and midfield for Everton so the free-agent market may not benefit those areas. 

Jordan Pickford will not need increased competition between the sticks for the time being. In attack, Dyche could persevere with £25 million summer 2023 signing Beto and Dominic Calvert-Lewin - another attacking gamble is perhaps best avoided this year unless one of the regular starters departs. 

The four players mentioned here would ultimately be useful additions to Dyche's squad and they would ensure any funds available in the summer could be allocated to signings that will undoubtedly improve the starting eleven. 

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Rob Jones
1 Posted 22/04/2024 at 10:04:46
Gary, I like those players.

Adarabioyo is unlikely to come to us, though, given the rumours that the likes of Tottenham are looking at him. Likewise Lloyd Kelly, who's interesting Newcastle, apparently.

Ndidi and Brownhill would be superb squad options, and would add a lot to a midfield that are losing Onana (big money sale), Gomes (big wages we can't afford) and (maybe) Gueye.

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