Take a look at what some of the players Everton want this summer have achieved in the opening weeks of the campaign
Everton’s summer has been an interesting one and although the club are clearly operating under financial constraints, there are still plenty of rumors about transfer targets.
The Blues eventually signed five players as Sean Dyche and director of football Kevin Thelwell built on what they hoped would be progress.
Beto, the striker who showed in the 135th minute that he could be the signing Everton have needed over several transfer windows, appears to be the most important.
With the first international break almost upon us, let’s take a look at how some of the other players Everton are interested in have fared so far this season.
Of all the players Everton have studied over the summer, Elanga is one of the players with the best start.
Considered a potential solution in the search for a right-winger, he instead chose to join Nottingham Forest.
Elanga, like many of Everton’s summer targets, was wanted in January.
The 21-year-old made an immediate impact for his new team, providing an assist for the Emirates in their loss to Arsenal on his debut.
He scored his first goal for Forest in the club’s final match, a 1–0 win over Chelsea.
Rodrigue
Rodrigo is one of Everton’s first targets as the club looks to relegated Leeds United for potential signings.
This striker has experience in the Premier League but is still willing to leave Elland Road for a relatively low fee.
However, he went to Qatar, where he topped the rankings for Al-Rayyan.
The 32-year-old’s first goal was the winning goal in his second match – a victory over Qatar SC.
Wilfried Gnonto
Everton’s long-running attempts to sign Gnonto from Leeds ended in failure, despite the teenager missing games and submitting a transfer request as interest peaked.
Gnonto’s actions led to a public reprimand from Leeds and his fans turned against him amid the saga.
But Leeds have stood their ground, Gnonto has been reinstated – and has begun the journey of amends.
His apologies led to his selection in the first team at Ipswich Town and he scored 14 minutes after his return.
Leeds then won 4-3.
He has since started both matches and is now back in Daniel Farke’s plans.
El Bilal-Touré
El Bilal-Touré has been on Everton’s radar all summer, but a deal always seemed out of reach as Atalanta’s interest solidified.
The Serie A side stepped up their pursuit of the striker as Manchester United’s interest in Rasmus Hojlund grew and when that deal was done he gave Atalanta the cash injection they needed to get Malian international player.
His transfer, a record deal for his new club, started disastrously: the 21-year-old was out of action for some time after suffering a tendon injury in a friendly against Juventus.
Che Adams
Everton-linked Che Adams looked set to join the Blues before a deal with Beto was confirmed.
He then looked set to join Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan, but that deal fell through and he remained at Southampton.
Keeping the striker at the south coast club has helped his start to the season – Adams has scored two late goals in the club’s first three games of the league campaign.
Adams scored just minutes from normal time as Southampton won against Sheffield Wednesday in their opening game of the season – then scored again later to help his side snatch all three points from Plymouth.
Kamaldeen Sulemana
Kamaldeen Sulemena is another target for relegated Southampton – he almost joined the Blues when he moved to England in January, but chose St Mary’s over Goodison.
As one of the few right-wing targets the Blues are eyeing, he also remains at Southampton.
While teammate Adams has got off to a good start, Sulemana is yet to make the Championship Day squad this season after suffering a muscle injury that hampered the end of his pre-season.