Everton medical booked, new signing could then be in squad v Spurs on Saturday - report

Everton have moved closer to re-signing Asmir Begovic with a medical due for their former goalkeeper to return, according to The Athletic.

The news outlet reported on 21 August that Begovic is nearing a return to Goodison Park and should all go smoothly, he will be available for Sean Dyche this weekend against Tottenham.

The Toffees currently have Jordan Pickford and Joao Virginia on their first-team books, with Begovic set to replace veteran back-up Andy Lonergan, who left in the summer.

The Liverpool Echo reported [20 August] that Dyche and Kevin Thelwell were keen to wrap up a deal for the experienced Bosnian, who was an ever-present in the Championship for QPR last season.

Everton due No. 2 upgrade

For several years now, there has been a notion that Everton have gone without a goalkeeper of a level who can reasonably challenge England’s number one Pickford.

Whilst it is highly unlikely Begovic will displace Pickford out of Dyche’s choice, there has been no real candidate to push the Three Lions man for a number of seasons – and it’s fortunate that Pickford’s professionalism and drive have ensured complacency has never been an issue.

Between 2021 and 2023, Begovic himself was Pickford’s deputy, and he has arguably been the number two closest to Pickford in terms of reliability – Virginia will eventually have to move elsewhere to be first choice, in the same way as ex-Blues Robin Olsen and Joel Robles.

Some goalkeepers, particularly those in the twilight years of their careers, are content with operating in the background, picking up some coaching traits and looking to bridge their way to the next stage of their careers.

Whilst that was the case with Lonergan and Maarten Stekelenburg on Merseyside, Begovic, 37, may feel he still has something to give having enjoyed 13 clean sheets across last campaign with QPR – a similar feat to that with AFC Bournemouth before he first came to the Toffees.

In other Everton news, Neal Maupay responds to links away from the Premier League.

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