EXCLUSIVE: Everton and Southampton agree fee for Adams as Toffees weigh up another Gnonto bid

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 21 Aug 2023 10:35 BST
• 4 min read

Exclusive

Everton are closing in on a deal for Che Adams after the side agreed a £15m fee with Southampton, with the two clubs now discussing the structure of the deal, FootballTransfers can reveal.

Sean Dyche is looking to bring in another No.9 to the setup as the English coach deals with the mercurial fitness of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who was forced off injured in Everton's 4-0 loss to Aston Villa on Sunday.

The club had assessed a number of options, including Patson Dak of Leicester City, but now they are set to bring in Adams after his current side got relegated from the Premier League last season.

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Adams, who scored the winner in Southampton’s 2-1 victory at Plymouth Argyle on Saturday, bagged ten goals across 35 games for the Saints in 2022/23, while he has netted three goals in two matches this term. We are told that a deal should be concluded this week for the striker.

Leeds prepare another Gnonto bid

Wilfried Gnonto remains a huge target and the winger is hoping to land a move to Everton, in a bid to get a chance for Italy in next summer’s European Championships.

We understand that, having rejected their last offer of around £25m (£20m+5m), the Toffees’ intention this week is to make a further and likely final bid, nearer to the £30m mark. Crucial talks are set between Everton and Leeds over the next few days. Gnonto, whose interest from Everton was exclusively revealed by FootballTransfers, has already agreed a deal in principle, with meetings taking place between himself, his agent, Claudio Vigorelli, and the Merseyside club at Finch Farm as far back as spring.

READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Gnonto pushes for Everton move as Leeds reneges on stance

Gnonto has been refusing to pay for Leeds as he tries to force a move away from Elland Road following their relegation.

Most recently, he was not in the match day squad for Leeds’ 1-1 draw with West Brom on Friday night. Leeds have been adamant that he is not for a sale - though it remains to be seen whether this next offer will see them reconsider, given it's much closer to their valuation of the teenager (£30m.)

Furthermore, we are told that any bid from Manchester United for Amadou Onana is extremely unlikely, given the club's lack of funds this window.