Everton News

Everton, following their demolition at the hands of Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, have a glaring problem heading into their next match.

After all, the scoreline was not the only negative to come out of the clash.

Chasing the game at 2-0 down, Sean Dyche was frustratingly tentative with his changes, and Iliman Ndiaye’s official debut was made even more difficult when Ashley Young made the unwise decision to take a touch down just inside his own half, despite being both the last man and marked by Kaoru Mitoma.

The Japan International couldn’t believe his luck, and as he stole the ball and raced through on goal all it took was a slight pull-back to send him sprawling to the ground and send the 39-year-old off.

Mason Holgate’s substitution was booed by Everton fans, which says enough about the likelihood of him starting against Tottenham Hotspur, whilst suggestions of throwing Roman Dixon in despite his lack of Premier League experience are wildly unlikely.

So, at the moment, they are heading to north London without a recognised right-back to try and thwart Heung-min Son.

Everton bid to sign a new right-back

Having recognised that, Kevin Thelwell has seemingly rushed into the market to fix that issue, but his solution does not include buying someone with experience.

MORE EVERTON STORIES

Instead, he seems set to opt for more youth, actually investing in a player who is one year Dixon’s junior.

Alisson Santana may be a bright Atlético Mineiro prospect hailing from Brazil, but little is known about him.

And yet, according to Brazilian outlet O Tempo, the Toffees have submitted an official bid.

The exact figures are yet to be disclosed, but it is assured that ‘negotiations are underway’.

Despite boasting a €60m (£51m) release clause, earlier this year during Arsenal’s tenuous links to the 18-year-old, a more reasonable fee of €25m (£21m) was being discussed.

Who is Everton target Alisson Santana?

Despite his youth, Alisson already has an impressive number of senior appearances for his boyhood side, where he developed through the youth ranks to make his debut just last year.

Although described by some as an attacking midfielder, the bulk of his appearances have actually come at right-back or right-wing-back, revealing a versatility that would be much welcomed at Goodison Park.

This ability to play all across the pitch seems similar to Oleksandr Zinchenko, who also started his career as an attacker.

However, with youth comes malleability, and his tactical and physical maturity will only grow with further experiences.

It might be a long shot to think that Everton could not only sign him up but deem him instantly ready for the first team, but if they are to pay £21m for a right-back, he may well start against Spurs on Saturday.

Everton have spent rather freely this summer, likely well aware that a huge sale was to come.

And come it did, with Amadou Onana’s mouth-watering £50m move to Aston Villa providing more than enough financial impetus to allow Sean Dyche and Kevin Thelwell to wade into the market.

With three permanent additions and a further two loan signings made, many would be forgiven for assuming that their summer business was tied up, but with Everton reportedly interested in two new midfielders, it seems funds are still there to be spent.

So, with this latest update from a well-respected journalist, perhaps they might be better served abandoning that pursuit and instead spending big to sign just one star man to solve their outstanding problem.

When combing through the big issues that need fixing at Everton, it’s undeniable that their goal threat is still lacking.

Whilst Iliman Ndiaye will provide some much-needed creativity from just behind the striker, and Jesper Lindstrom promises energy and delivery for the other attackers too, it is the finishing that remains a big problem, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Beto both suffering from their fair share of profligacy.

However, one man who did not struggle for goals during his spell on Merseyside was Richarlison, and despite leaving two years ago for a £60m fee, reports are emerging suggesting that his future now hangs in the balance,

MORE EVERTON STORIES

Having failed to stand out during his tenure at Tottenham Hotspur, links even emerged suggesting he might move to Saudi Arabia and join that revolution.

But, journalist Paul O’Keefe has now emerged to refute that notion, simply writing: ‘He doesn’t want to go’.

So, with the Brazil international now ruling out an entire nation, perhaps Everton could swoop in and offer all they possibly can to return him to Goodison Park.

Everton should break the bank to re-sign Richarlison

Although the £90k-a-week forward left for greener pastures, Spurs are now a far cry from the Champions League outfit that he first joined.

Instead, now under Ange Postecoglou’s management rather than Antonio Conte’s they are a project which needs time.

But so too is Everton, and whilst the gulf in quality between the two sides is vast, Richarlison might actually be the missing piece of the puzzle for Dyche rather than just another squad player for Spurs.

During his final year with the Toffees, he scored ten goals and assisted a further five, effectively saving the club from relegation.

His efforts even led Carlo Ancelotti to suggest that, in the future, he could fight for Ballon d’Or’s, such was his quality, with Richarlison admitting he loved Everton another reason why his return is plausible.

Whilst that ambition is now looking somewhat unlikely, there is no doubt that he would thrive within Dyche’s hard-working system.

An energetic presser with good link-up play, who is remarkable in the air and already boasts a fine relationship with Calvert-Lewin, if Thelwell can convince him to return this would prove the coup of the century for Everton. Give him what he wants and build a sustainable and progressive football club around him.

Everton have been left in a difficult situation when it came to the future of Dele Alli on Merseyside.

The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder made the move to Everton back in 2022 on a free transfer.

There was more to that deal than initially met the eye with the north London side holding a performance clause which entitled them to £10m.

However, due to his injury issues last season, Dele Alli never hit the number of appearances needed to see the Toffees send Spurs the money.

The former England international has since become a free agent this summer with his future remaining uncertain.

What Everton are now discussing with Tottenham about Dele Alli

Although the 28-year-old is a free agent having not seen his Everton stay extended, Sean Dyche is allowing the midfielder to train with the club.

Dele is still overcoming the groin injury which kept him out of the 2023/24 campaign but Everton have offered him their assistance.

MORE EVERTON STORIES

The Englishman was only able to rack up a total of 13 appearances for Everton over his spell at the club which offered a mere 369 minutes of action.

But there are now talks going on between Everton and Spurs over the player’s future.

According to the Liverpool Echo, Everton are now attempting to negotiate their deal with Spurs for Dele.

If Everton are able to succeed in their discussions with the north Londoners, it could offer the 28-year-old with an opportunity to prove himself over pre-season.

Despite being out of contract, it is claimed the terms of the deal between the two clubs struck in 2022 would make it difficult for Everton to re-sign Dele as it stands.

But it seems as if the Toffees have not given up on the midfielder following what has been a really difficult period in his life.

What Xavi previously said about Dele Alli

Despite his struggles on the pitch over recent years, it has to be remembered the talent which Dele showed during his time at Spurs.

And it is apparent the midfielder is keen to rediscover his best form as he has been shown to be putting the work in this summer ahead of pre-season.

Dele was hailed for his impressive displays as a youngster by many with the likes of former Barcelona midfielder Xavi waxing lyrical about him.

“There are some very promising young English midfield players – and there is no doubt he is very special,” Xavi told the media back in 2017.

“He is very talented, very technical. I can understand why The Tottenham fans are hoping he is the next Paul Gascoigne.”