For once, Everton seem to be tying up their transfer business early in the window.
Given their usual scattergun transfer strategy has seen ill-prepared players welcomed late into the window, with an air of panic in every deal they make, this summer has seen marked change.
That is likely owed to Kevin Thelwell’s devoted preparation, and those months of scouring the market for the perfect targets are finally paying off.
Especially if they are to sign one man, which all signs suggest they will
Everton close in on Iliman Ndiaye transfer
The latest update comes from The Daily Mail, who write that the Toffees are now closing in on their latest transfer of the summer.
It is so refreshing to see Thelwell get the club’s business done early so as to give them a full pre-season, and the acquisition of Iliman Ndiaye is set to enthral Evertonians.
The report reads: ‘Everton are progressing in talks to sign Marseille forward Iliman Ndiaye.
‘The 24-year old Senegal international has been a long-term target for the Goodison club since his time at Sheffield United and he has failed to make an impact with Marseille.
‘Everton have focused on Ndiaye after talks for Newcastle winger Yankuba Minteh hit an impasse.’
This would be a remarkable turnaround for Ndiaye, who only joined Marseille last summer in a move that Paul Heckingbottom described as a ‘dream’ for the forward, moving to his ‘boyhood club’ for £20m.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is also staying at Everton
In what was a whirlwind day for the Toffees, yesterday it was also revealed that Dominic Calvert-Lewin would not be leaving Everton for Newcastle United, with talks between the two breaking down.
Whilst his sale would have commanded a hefty sum that would surely have completely offset PSR, what they would have lost would have been invaluable to Sean Dyche’s side.
Especially with Ndiaye joining, who enjoyed the best stretch of his young career thus far alongside a hulking strike partner in Oliver McBurnie.
There, during his final year at Sheffield United, the Senegal international scored 14 and assisted 11 in the Championship as they stormed into the Premier League, with his silky and intelligent exploits pairing well with the aerial dominance of his teammate.
Well, there are arguably few better at holding up the play than Calvert-Lewin, who sits in the top 6% for aerials won per 90 when compared to other strikers in Europe.
Last season saw him score seven in the league, but one of his finest returns, a 13-goal haul during the 2019/20 campaign, came alongside Richarlison as a strike partner.
All signs are suggesting that this could be a match made in heaven up front for Everton.
