EXCLUSIVE: Everton target Dembele, Gnonto & Vardy, three stars up for sale
Steve Kay
- Updated: 12 Jul 2023 12:34 BST
- 3 min read
Exclusive
Everton plan to sign at least one striker this summer and could end up buying two, FootballTransfers has learned.
The Toffees have made the signing of a new number nine a priority this transfer window.
FootballTransfers has learned that there are three names on Everton’s attacking shortlist. The first two are natural number nines in the form of Moussa Dembele and Jamie Vardy.
READ MORE: Premier League 2023/24 summer transfers: All the Done Deals
Dembele is available on a free transfer after his Lyon contract expired. Vardy, meanwhile, has been told he can leave Leicester a year before his contract expires in 2024.
Leicester would be looking for a small fee for Vardy, who was wanted by Everton in the January 2022 transfer window but opted to stay with the Foxes.
Vardy was aware of Everton’s renewed interest in him towards the end of last season. Indeed, it is understood he chose not to take a penalty for Leicester against Everton because of a potential move.
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Everton players for sale
Everton have to sell before they can buy and have told a number of important players they can leave this summer.
These include Jordan Pickford, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Alex Iwobi. West Ham have registered an interest in the latter.
Sheffield United are understood to be considering a move for Mason Holgate and also asked about a possible loan deal for Neil Maupay. The Frenchman has been a big disappointment for Everton since he arrived from Brighton, scoring only one goal in 29 appearances.
Everton are aware that they face another likely fight against relegation in the 2023-24 season.
They narrowly avoided the drop to the Championship on the final day of the most recent season.
A second half winner from Abdoulaye Doucoure on the final day of the season against Bournemouth retained Everton’s status as a Premier League club.
