Everton are the talk of the town at the moment, as one of the Premier League clubs seemingly being the most proactive to start the summer.
Already they have been linked with a handful of top players, in what promises to be a hectic and hugely challenging transfer window for Sean Dyche and his scouting team.
However, if anyone can be trusted to work on a shoestring budget it is him, who has already gotten the most out of a threadbare squad at Goodison Park in just over a year.
Now, however, reports are suggesting he could be set to add some real quality into the mix.
Darren Bent delivers Kalvin Phillips transfer verdict
Speaking to talkSPORT just yesterday, Darren Bent reacted to the revelation that Everton wanted to sign Kalvin Phillips.
It was big news given the Toffees’ financial situation, and highlighted a potentially shrewd acquisition for Dyche to capture the struggling midfielder.
However, the former Sunderland and Aston Villa striker was not so positive about the move, noting: ‘I think that’s the last thing he needs. Yeah, I do. I am not saying because it’s Everton.
‘He needs to go somewhere permanently. He went to West Ham on loan, and it couldn’t have gone any worse for him. He has now played himself out of the England internationals. At one stage, he was probably a starter you would say under Gareth Southgate.
‘I know Sean Dyche will work miracles for him, but I almost feel like Dele Alli has been there, hasn’t really played much for I don’t know how long. Kalvin Phillips needs to go somewhere. I think he would have gone back to Leeds. I know they didn’t go up.
‘Go back, settle somewhere, get a permanent transfer and then start to rebuild. Again, he is unsettled, he is on loan again, if it doesn’t go (well), where does he go from there? I am not sure about this one.’
How much would Kalvin Phillips cost Everton?
Although this proposed deal would be a loan, that is not to suggest that it would be free for Everton.
After all, we have Phillips’ six-month spell with West Ham United to look upon for proof that, even if it is only temporary, it can still incur a hefty sum.
Especially for a club like the Toffees, who need to count every penny to avoid further PSR ramifications.
The Hammers, upon signing the 28-year-old back in January, agreed to pay his full £150k-a-week salary for that period. And, on top of that, they also were forced to offer the Citizens a sum of around £1m for the loan fee.
Therefore, in total Phillips cost David Moyes’ side £4m for just six months of service, suggesting it would have been £8m for the full season.
Kevin Thelwell will certainly have to dig deep to ensure that his side does not pay a figure anywhere near that lofty sum, as it would simply not make financial sense to plug a gap that does not yet need filling by burning a much-needed £8m.