Everton had been a club in steady regression for years now under Farhad Moshiri, but at last this summer, things seem to be looking up.
After all, it seems like Dan Friedkin will finally usurp the underwhelming Iranian as owner, and with it will bring his vast fortune and specialist know-how to hopefully turn this sinking ship around.
Meanwhile, Kevin Thelwell has been working overtime to try and convince players of this renewed hope, with the promise of a brighter future just around the corner.
Well, their first statement signing of this new positive revolution could be in the offing at last.
Fabrizio Romano provides huge Yankuba Minteh update
The latest on their pursuit of a top target comes from revered transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, who took to X just this morning to issue an update on their pursuit of Yankuba Minteh.
The Toffees have been linked with a switch for the 19-year-old for a few weeks now, but with Minteh’s £30m price tag, there was little expectation that they would be able to strike a deal.
However, with Newcastle United wanting Dominic Calvert-Lewin, the potential for another PSR loophole emerged.
Now, as the Italian reporter suggests, this is a switch that Minteh is desperate to make, which should ease negotiations.
He writes: ‘Yankuba Minteh, giving priority to Everton as his favourite destination with desire to play in the Premier League. Newcastle, informed of his priority to join Everton. Olympique Lyon are interested as they made contact for Minteh this weekend, as revealed yesterday.’
Minteh only joined the Tyneside outfit last year from Danish side Odense for a mere £6.5m, but shone on loan with Feyenoord.
Everton still have that pulling power
Despite their clear financial restrictions. Despite their numerous relegation dogfights. Despite a squad lacking depth. Despite a takeover saga that has dragged on for nearly a month.
Despite all that, Everton still have the necessary clout to pull one of the Premier League’s brightest young talents from arguably the most up-and-coming club in the division.
It is fair to say that the Toffees have not lost their clout, and whilst there is still a deal to be made between themselves and the Magpies, it would be so sweet to snag this promising winger from their ranks, nearly two years after they snagged Anthony Gordon from theirs.
On Tyneside, the expectation is that this Gambian speedster will one day be recognised as one of the best wingers in the world.
The hope is that now, should he make the switch to Goodison Park on the eve of their move to the Bramley-Moore Dock stadium, he can fulfil that potential under Sean Dyche’s leadership as they hopefully progress forward into their new home.
It is impossible to deny the steps forward made under his leadership, and now with such shrewd recruitment, dodging PSR with exemplary precision, they could actually start next campaign with renewed hope that far more than just Premier League safety could be attained.