Everton are having to search long and hard to find players to join the club, promising them a brighter future after so many years of regression.
Sean Dyche has made marked improvements to the squad, but they are still far from where they want to be.
The task of bridging that gap in quality falls to Kevin Thelwell, who has to scour the market to find players willing and able to add to the talent already at the 52-year-old manager’s disposal.
Fortunately, in this particular instance, he seems to have done just that.
Everton want Armando Broja transfer
The latest on their pursuit of Chelsea’s Armando Broja comes courtesy of Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg, who suggests that the Albania international remains on Everton’s list despite others joining the race.
With Broja commanding a £30m price tag, it does seem like the kind of deal that would be out of their price tag, but with how Kevin Thelwell is dodging PSR restrictions with various loopholes this summer, and given Chelsea’s penchant for such an endeavour, it would be hard to rule them out.
His tweet reads: ‘Armando #Broja is on VfB Stuttgart’s shortlist as a potential replacement for Serhou Guirassy!
‘However, a move to the Bundesliga is unlikely at this stage. Although the player is attracted by VfB’s interest.
‘Been told a transfer within the Premier League is more realistic. Everton and Wolves are concretely interested. AC Milan also has the 22 y/o striker from Chelsea on their list. Contract with #CFC valid until 2028.’
Armando Broja could replace Dominic Calvert-Lewin
It should come as no coincidence that this report has emerged just when Newcastle United’s interest in Dominic Calvert-Lewin has intensified.
The English marksman, who joined Everton for a mere £1.5m back in 2016, has grown into one of the club’s finest players.
He has been a pretty consistent goal threat throughout his tenure on Merseyside, but fitness and form have failed him in recent years.
So, the opportunity to cash in on him might tempt Dyche, especially with Broja available as an ample replacement.
The club could afford that aforementioned figure purely because any fee gained for Calvert-Lewin would represent near enough pure profit.
Broja’s opportunities have been limited ever since his breakout campaign, where he scored six Premier League goals as a teenager for a Southampton side that narrowly avoided the drop.
He is tall, fast, good in the air and a constant threat, and at just 22 years old, still growing.
Although it might be tough to take at first, trading the 27-year-old Calvert-Lewin for this younger, more exciting model, all whilst remaining in line with PSR, makes perfect sense for the club.