Chelsea & Man City aces named as 'Concrete' Everton targets for 'Priority' next signing - report

Everton have made signing a new midfielder a priority for the rest of the transfer window and have at least three options in mind for the role, according to Harry Watkinson.

The TEAMtalk journalist reported via X on 2 August that the Toffees hold “concrete” interest in Chelsea youngster Lesley Ugochukwu as well as his Strasbourg counterpart Habib Diarra.

Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips is the third name on the list and has been reported as a player Sean Dyche believes he can oversee a revival from [Mirror, 28 May], but there are expected to be further potential options.

Watkinson wrote: “A new midfielder is Everton’s priority for what remains of the transfer window. Understand Toffees hold concrete interest in Kalvin Phillips, Habib Diarra and Lesley Ugochukwu.

“There will be others too.”

Lesley Ugochukwu and Kalvin Phillips strong Everton targets

Tim Ireogbunam’s arrival from Aston Villa looks like it will be a positive addition based on his early showings under Dyche during preseason.

But Amadou Onana’s big-money exit in the opposite direction has left a sizeable hole in the squad even if the Belgian star wasn’t a guaranteed starter by the end of last season.

Chelsea are expected to seek a loan move for Ugochukwu [Foot Mercato, 13 July] so if Everton can convince the Stamford Bridge hierarchy that the Frenchman, 20, would get plenty of action at Goodison Park a deal seems feasible.

He missed significant time with an injury last term which will no doubt be a concern after Andre Gomes and Dele Alli’s woes, but possibly less of a worry than Phillips’ nightmare loan at West Ham on top of so little football at City.

The Toffees will ultimately be negotiating with the same people on Ugochukwu and Diarra as BlueCo owns both Chelsea and Strasbourg so the talks could surely be combined.

Chances of success may be higher that way, but when both are just 20 it may unnecessarily block Iroegbunam’s development in a role he could fill himself.

So it would be little surprise if Dyche preferred the senior man in Phillips, 28, given a free choice.

In other Everton news, a finance expert has sounded the alarm as the Toffees may be forced to consider the sale of Jarrad Branthwaite within weeks.

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