Everton started the transfer window off with little expectations, but as we slowly creep towards that June 30th PSR deadline, there is hope that a big summer could be in the offing.
After all, the arrival of Tim Iroegbunam seems to be nothing more than an intelligent switch between two financially restricted clubs, with Lewis Dobbin going in the other direction, and that alone might be enough to see them avoid further potential punishment.
Naturally, there is interest in their other prized assets, but Manchester United are stalling with the Jarrad Branthwaite deal, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s move to Newcastle United will now only be sanctioned should a mouth-watering sum arrive.
For once, the Toffees are standing firm on their various transfer stances, and in turn are now ready to pounce on their own respective targets.
Everton bid for Yankuba Minteh
That is what is being suggested by The Daily Mail, who report that Everton have actually submitted a bid to sign one of those standout players from Kevin Thelwell’s list.
With interest in Yankuba Minteh thought to be high, it is ironic that Sean Dyche, as the figurehead of the most PSR-ravaged club ever, could actually capitalise on the struggles of this Saudi-backed side.
The report reads: ‘Everton have offered around £30m for Newcastle winger Yankuba Minteh. Brighton have also discussed an offer for Minteh, however, French side Lyon are understood to be willing to pay Newcastle’s asking price of closer to £40m.’
Given how cash-strapped Lyon really are, perhaps Everton actually are the frontrunners for this potential deal, welcoming the Gambian starlet from a Premier League rival.
However, it is unlikely that £30m will be spent without at least selling one of the two aforementioned assets, or the instead the exit-linked Amadou Onana.
Yankuba Minteh is just what Everton are missing
To acquire such a direct, threatening speedster to play off the right, the Toffees will gain exactly what they have been missing in recent years.
After all, whilst Dwight McNeil and Jack Harrison have certainly done an admirable job, with their respective work rate second to none, calls for the former to move infield have intensified of late.
His silkiness and desperation to move only onto his left foot make him somewhat one-dimensional on the flank, but in the centre he could use that to his advantage, getting into dangerous positions to slip in teammates or strike centrally from distance.
Meanwhile, Minteh would stretch the opposition like few others, with his blistering speed giving way to ten goals and six assists scored in the Eredivisie for Feyenoord last season.
Such a stunning loan spell even earned praise from Arne Slot, who has since moved to Liverpool. He claimed: ‘He certainly doesn’t lack self-confidence. His willingness to give everything is enormous. When we see his statistics, it is really impressive.
‘Minteh ran more sprint meters against Ajax in an hour than many players in the two games. He is incredibly fast. And he wants it so badly.’
With such a glowing recommendation, and a physical and technical skillset completely different to what Dyche already has, this deal marks a no-brainer, should they really have the funds needed to complete it.