Everton Football Club has had a very active summer transfer window in 2024, aiming to bolster their squad to climb the Premier League table and avoid another relegation battle. In recent seasons, Sean Dyche’s side has struggled to stay clear of the drop zone, and the club is determined to change that in the upcoming campaign.
This summer, Everton has invested £42.9 million in four new signings, a sum largely offset by the £50 million sale of Amadou Onana to Aston Villa. Additionally, Ben Godfrey and Lewis Dobbin have departed from the club.
On the incoming side, Everton has secured three players on permanent deals and one on loan. Two of these signings came from France: Jake O’Brien joined from Olympique Lyon, and Iliman Ndiaye signed from Olympique Marseille. The third permanent signing is Tim Iroegbunam, who moved from Aston Villa to Goodison Park. Additionally, the Toffees have acquired Jesper Lindstrom on a loan-to-buy deal from Napoli.
Despite these acquisitions, Everton might not be finished with their transfer business, as nearly three weeks remain in the window. They have recently been linked with a Championship player who could add much-needed attacking firepower.
Latest on Everton’s pursuit of Gnonto
The player in question is Wilfried Gnonto, a Leeds United and Italy winger. The 20-year-old has been rumored to leave Elland Road since Leeds was relegated from the Premier League two seasons ago. Following their failure to secure promotion last season, Gnonto might seek a move this summer.
According to Football Insider, Everton has long admired the Italian winger and could attempt to sign him again this summer after missing out on him in 2023, despite Gnonto going on strike to try to force a move.
The report states that the 20-year-old’s current asking price is £25 million, a fee Leeds would accept if Everton can submit a bid before the transfer window closes at the end of August. However, it remains uncertain whether the Toffees have the funds to make such an offer.
Gnonto showcased his talent last season in the Championship, one of Europe’s most challenging leagues. The former Inter Milan academy player secured a starting spot under Daniel Farke after a difficult start to the season, scoring eight goals and providing two assists as Leeds finished third and added another assist in the play-offs.
While Leeds highly values Gnonto, Everton could sell other players to raise funds for his acquisition, with one potential departure being star striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s value in 2024
With less than a year remaining on his contract, Calvert-Lewin’s future at Everton is uncertain. He was close to joining Newcastle United, but that move fell through, with the Daily Mail reporting that a fee of £35 million was required to secure his transfer.
Selling Calvert-Lewin for a price close to £35 million would represent a significant profit for Everton, considering they acquired him for just £1.54 million from Sheffield United in August 2016.
This potential sale would also enable the club to afford Gnonto, their primary target, rather than delaying the transfer for another year.
It’s understandable why Calvert-Lewin, who earns £100,000 per week according to Capology, is valued so highly by Everton. He remains a key player for Dyche, having scored seven goals and provided two assists in the Premier League last season, marking the third-best top-flight return of his career. He scored 13 goals in the 2019/20 season and 16 in 2020/21.
Calvert-Lewin is also Everton’s fourth-highest Premier League goalscorer, one of only four players to have scored 50 or more top-flight goals for the club. His impressive record has earned him praise, with football talent scout Jacek Kulig referring to him as a “monster” of a centre-forward.
Should Everton decide to sell Calvert-Lewin to fund Gnonto’s signing, they would be losing a modern-day club legend who has scored 54 Premier League goals. However, this sale might be necessary, given that he has just one year left on his contract, allowing Everton to make a significant profit and reinvest in the squad to continue their climb up the table.
