All posts by z3u9t.icu

Everton Football Club have recently become the home to one of England under-20s' most exciting talents after they confirmed the signing of young midfielder Tim Iroegbunam from Aston Villa. He cost the club £9m, and will likely become a first-team option for Sean Dyche in midfield.

However, Iroegbunam is not the only young talent from the England under-20 side who could make waves in the Premier League this season. Midfielder Adam Wharton is now at Euro 2024 with the first team, after switching from Blackburn Rovers to Crystal Palace in January and excelling in the middle of the park at Selhurst Park.

That is a team that also features Lewis Miley of Newcastle, a player who broke into the Magpies side last season aged just 17 and locked down a place in the starting eleven for much of the season. His Newcastle teammate Lewis Hall is also involved in the squad, as well as Manchester City winger Micah Hamilton and Tottenham striker Dane Scarlett.

However, with the summer transfer window upon us, the Toffees have been linked to another member of that squad, who captained the side until he became too old to feature. He could well make the switch to Goodison during the transfer window.

Everton target League One defender

The player in question here is Peterborough United’s English defender Ronnie Edwards. The 21-year-old is highly rated by fans of the Posh and neutrals alike, and he could well depart the club this summer amidst interest from Premier League clubs.

At least, that is according to a report from journalist Graeme Bailey. Bailey explains that the race for the exciting young defender is 'heating up', and that 'interest from the Premier League has gathered' in recent days, as clubs look to prise the youngster away from the club.

However, the Toffees will not be the only top-flight club hoping to add Edwards to their ranks. Bailey suggests that 'enquiries have landed' from more than just Everton, with Newcastle wanting to reunite him with Miley and Hall and add him to their ranks. South Coast sides Brighton and Southampton also hoping to bring him into their club, with the Saints also making enquiries.

In terms of a price for Edwards, Sky Sports explains that the Posh would accept a bid in the region of £10m. The 21-year-old’s contract expires in 12 months, and Peterborough may well accept a cut-price deal to avoid him walking away from the club for free.

Why Edwards would be a good signing

Despite his age and inexperience in the grand scheme of things, Edwards played 55 times for Peterborough last season, missing just one game out of 46 in League One and 90 minutes in their play-off semi-final defeat to eventual winners Oxford United. The England under-20 captain also helped to keep 13 clean sheets in League One.

Football analyst H is one person who is a big advocate of the Peterborough man. He regularly waxes lyrical about him on social media, explaining that he will “play for England one day”, as well as calling him the “crème de la crème” of young English centre-backs.

In terms of his profile, Edwards is a progressive centre-back who is wonderful on the ball. He is an excellent carrier and is statistically one of the best passers of the ball in League One. According to Sofascore, the 21-year-old averages the most accuracy passes per game in the entire division, with 83.4 at an accuracy of 92%. His 6.9 long balls per game on average are also more than any other League One player.

Should Everton get a deal for Edwards across the line, the 21-year-old could become an ideal replacement for Jarrad Branthwaite. Like the Peterborough defender, Branthwaite is highly rated and already has one England cap to his name. His future at Goodison Park is not certain, with Manchester United sniffing around to add him to their squad, If he does leave, Everton could replace one of the best English centre-back prospects with another at the heart of their defence.

In terms of their quality as out-and-out defenders, the pair are both excellent. Like Branthwaite, Edwards is more than adept at defending wide areas and is also an excellent box defender like the England international. This is reflected in their stats from last season, which are neck and neck despite the quality gap between the leagues they played in during 2023/24.

Stat (per 90)

Edwards

Branthwaite

Ground duels won

1.9

2.5

Aerial duels won

2.2

2.7

Tackles and Interceptions

2.2

3.3

Clearances

4.1

4.5

Ball recoveries

5.6

5.2

If Everton manage to get a deal for Edwards sealed this summer, he would add quality and depth to their defensive options, meaning the potential sale of Branthwiate would be less impactful. Whether or not he is an immediate starter remains to be seen, however, the 21-year-old could be a dream replacement for Branthwaite.

Coming in at just £10m, the Posh defender could be England’s next big thing, and be at the heart of the Everton defence for years to come, an ideal replacement for the former Carlisle defender.

Everton target Onana replacement who used to be "the best DM in the PL"

Everton could sign the perfect replacement for Amadou Onana.

ByConnor Holden Jun 27, 2024

The summer transfer window is in full swing, and following the announcement of 18-year-old goalkeeper Lucas Nygaard on Thursday, Arsenal look set for a busy few months.

The Premier League runners-up have already been linked to a plethora of players this window, be that Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig, Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP, or, more recently, Paris Saint-Germain's Dutch wonderkid Xavi Simons.

The latter would undoubtedly be a quality addition to the squad, but Mikel Arteta already has an incredibly talented young star at his disposal who is worth even more.

Bukayo Saka's Arsenal career

The youngster in question is none other than Arsenal's starboy Bukayo Saka, who, despite being in the spotlight for years at this point, is still just 22.

The Hale End superstar burst onto the scene for the Gunners under former manager Unai Emery in the 2018/19 season but truly began to make a name for himself under Arteta the following campaign.

In that first season under the Spaniard, the "outstanding" talent, as dubbed by club captain Martin Odegaard, scored four goals and provided 12 assists in 38 appearances, 17 of which came at left-back.

Over the following few years, the Ealing-born dynamo slowly moved to the right wing, where he has now established himself as arguably the first name on the team sheet for the North Londoners.

In all, he has made a frankly ridiculous 226 appearances for the Gunners, in which he has scored 58 goals and provided 53 assists.

2018/19

4

0

0

0.00

2019/20

38

4

12

0.42

2020/21

46

7

9

0.34

2021/22

43

12

7

0.44

2022/23

48

15

11

0.54

2023/24

47

20

14

0.72

This means he's averaged a goal involvement every 1.98 games in his senior career, and that includes the time he spent at left-back.

Alongside his undeniable importance to Arsenal, the "legend in the making," as football talent scout Jacek Kulig described him, has become integral to Gareth Southgate's England side. He's won 36 senior caps, scored 11 goals, provided seven assists, and been named Player of the Year in successive years.

So, with all these accomplishments at just 22 years old, it shouldn't be surprising that his valuation is so significant and significantly higher than Simons'.

Bukayo Saka's valuation in 2024

Simons has been on fire over the last couple of seasons. In 2022/23, he racked up 34 goals and assists for PSV Eindhoven, and last season, he scored ten goals and provided 15 assists for RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga.

That means that, despite being just 21, the flying Dutchman has averaged a goal involvement every 1.30 games over the last two years, and now he's playing at the Euros with the Netherlands.

This meteoric rise has caught the attention of clubs across the continent, including Arsenal, and based on recent reports, the youngster could be available for around £51m, which, while a hefty sum of money, is nowhere near the value of Saka.

According to Football Transfers, the England star is worth at least €106m, which converts to around £90m, and based on the price of transfers in recent seasons, that's probably a rather conservative estimate.

Ultimately, the PSG gem is undoubtedly on track to reach superstar status in the game, but due to the sheer body of work behind Saka, it's hard to deny he'd be worth every penny of his massive valuation.

Arsenal lead race for "magic" £50m Martinelli rival

The sensational talent could help the Brazilian return to his best or replace him altogether.

2 ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 28, 2024

After securing promotion to the Premier League last season, Ipswich Town are ready to spend like the big boys and make significant improvements to Kieran McKenna's squad.

The Tractor Boys mean business this summer

Whilst their best bit of business going into the summer was to persuade McKenna to stay at Portman Road, Ipswich have stormed into the transfer window and secured a number of big signings.

Liam Delap

£15million

Jacob Greaves

£18million

Ben Johnson

Free transfer

Omari Hutchinson

£20million

Arijanet Muric

£8million

Whilst each of the above players will likely walk straight into the Tractor Boys' starting eleven, the signing that will elicit the most excitement from the Portman Road faithful will be the return of Omari Hutchinson.

Perfect for Morsy: Ipswich plot to sign star who has shades of Declan Rice

Ipswich Town would really strengthen their central midfield positions with this bold capture.

ByKelan Sarson Jul 16, 2024

The winger spent last season on loan with Ipswich, contributing 11 goals and 6 assists in 50 appearances for the East Anglian outfit. With the 20-year-old now at the club permanently, there is every expectation that Hutchinson will go on to play a vital part in Ipswich's campaign next season.

Whilst the eye-catching fees that Ipswich have spent on permanent deals will grab the headlines, the free transfer of Ben Johnson should not be overlooked. In a team that has played very little Premier League football in their careers, signing a player with 69 topflight appearances under his belt at just 24 years of age will be a massive asset to McKenna's side.

With the Tractor Boys' summer spending spree showing little signs of slowing down, it appears that the club are set to race fellow Premier League sides for the signature of a European talent.

Ipswich eye move for AC Milan midfielder

As reported by Independent Ipswich Town website TWTD, the Italian press are claiming that Ipswich have joined Leicester City and Nottingham Forest in showing interest in AC Milan’s Alexis Saelemaekers. The outlet states that the Tractors Boys have made enquiries about the Belgian midfielder/winger, who is said to be surplus to requirements at San Siro this summer.

Whilst Ipswich's interest does not go beyond this initial contact, Leicester have gone one further and submitted a bid for Saelemaekers. Whilst the value of the Foxes' offer is not yet known, it is said to be close to AC Milan's asking price which reportedly stands in the region of €12-15 million (£10-£12.6 million).

Whilst Saelemaekers has struggled to make a name for himself during his time with the Rossoneri, the 25-year-old spent last season on loan with Bologna where he played a key role in their campaign. Speaking on the player's performances, former Bologna coach Thiago Motta remarked how Saelemaekers "has something special".

Playing primarily as a left winger, the Belgian also boasts the passing range and physical profile that allows him to seamlessly transition into playing as a central midfielder. This versatility would be a key asset to a manager like McKenna who expects his players to be adaptable and cover multiple areas of the pitch.

After returning to the Premier League at the first time of asking, Southampton are now set to use the transfer window to help Russell Martin as they look to stave off relegation next season.

Southampton search for an Adams alternative

After 191 appearances for the Saints, Che Adams has elected to call time on his Southampton career this summer. The 28-year-old found the back of the net on 17 occasions last season, however, refused to sign a new deal at St Mary's meaning he left the club as a free agent at the end of last month.

Their best CM since Ward-Prowse: Southampton lining up big move

Southampton could sign their best central midfielder since James Ward-Prowse with this statement buy.

1 ByKelan Sarson Jul 23, 2024

After weeks of speculation, Adams' next destination has been revealed with the Scottish striker joining Serie A outfit Torino. With a large chunk of Southampton's goals now gone, the club are now on the search for new attackers to replace the outgoing star.

One name that has recently been linked with a move to the South Coast is Brandon Thomas-Asante. The Saints are said to be plotting a move for the West Bromwich Albion attacker who is in the final 12 months of his current deal at the Hawthorns.

Whilst not a direct replacement for Adams, another attacking player who has been rumoured with a move to the Saints is Crystal Palace's Jesurun Rak-Sakyi. The most recent development on this story has seen Southampton submit a bid in the region of £7million for the winger's services.

With Martin and Co still on the lookout for attacking talents, Southampton are said to be leading the race to sign a striker with previous Premier League experience.

Saints march towards a deal for Brereton Diaz

As first reported by TEAMtalk, Southampton are in pole position to sign Villarreal attacker Ben Brereton Diaz, who they claim could partner Adam Armstrong in attack next season. The Chilean striker spent the latter half of last season on loan at Sheffield United and looks set for a return to England after struggling to make a mark during his time in La Liga.

The outlet claims that Southampton previously tried to sign Brereton Diaz back in January with the 25-year-old choosing Premier League football at Bramall Lane over second tier action with the Saints. With the roles now reversed, Martin's side may be able to land a deal for Brereton Diaz at the second time of asking and are leading the race.

With three-years still on his current deal with Villarreal, it remains to be seen as to whether the Spanish side would be willing to Brereton Diaz leave permanently this summer or if they'd prefer a loan deal for the striker.

If the 25-year-old is to join the Saints, he would be bringing with him a wealth of experience in English football owing to his spells with both Blackburn Rovers and the aforementioned Sheffield United. Speaking of his time at Ewood Park, former Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray spoke highly of the player telling the press:

“He’s a big personality in the dressing room now himself. He’s a wonderful footballer, but he’s a wonderful human being first. A brilliant lad. He’s a funny character."

With Southampton in the market for a striker and Brereton Diaz reportedly out of favour at Villarreal, this transfer could be a match made in heaven for all parties this summer.

In their quest to finally beat Manchester City to the Premier League title next season, Arsenal look set to bolster Mikel Arteta's side with a number of new players this summer.

Gunners target fresh faces this summer

The latest news out of the Emirates has seen the saga around Riccardo Calafiori's future look as if it is finally drawing to a close. The Italian defender rose to prominence last season as a part of the Bologna side that qualified for the Champions League.

Arsenal's 7/10 hero v Man Utd can have Arteta forgetting about Williams

He produced an excellent display for the Gunners in the second half.

ByEthan Lamb Jul 28, 2024

Calafiori took his domestic form to this summer's EURO 2024 tournament where the 22-year-old stood out as one of the few bright spots in an Italy side that fell at the round of sixteen stage of the competition. The latest developments suggest that the defender's move to North London is close to completion with a report from last week suggesting that an agreement had been reached on a £42 million fee for the player.

Another long-term Arsenal target who appears to be edging closer to a move is Viktor Gyokeres. The Sporting CP talisman has been in Edu Gaspar's sights for some time with the most recent news claiming that the Gunners are insistent on getting the deal over the line.

With both Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool sniffing around the deal, it may prove slightly more difficult than first thought to bring the Swedish striker to the Emirates this summer. Rounding off the names currently doing the rounds around North London is Mikel Merino. The Real Sociedad and Spain midfielder is said to have agreed personal terms with the Gunners ahead of a potential return to English football.

As the rumour mill continues to turn at the Emirates, it appears that Arsenal have made contact with the representatives of a highly-rated player as they plot a move to bring him to the club.

Arsenal eye a move for Argentina ace

As reported in the Argentine press and relayed by Football London, Arsenal are one of many clubs interested in a move for Boca Juniors midfielder Ezequiel Fernandez. The outlet claims that the 22-year-old has decided that he wants to play his football abroad despite his current contract keeping him in Argentina until 2028.

The Gunners are said to have informed Fernandez's entourage they are interested in bringing the player to North London, although Arteta's side are yet to submit a formal bid for the player.

This isn't the first instance of Fernandez having admirers in England with Liverpool midfieder Alexis Mac Allister recommending the player during his time with Brighton: “He is always prepared to receive the ball, he plays with both legs, he can play as a five, as an inside player…he is a player who has certain very good conditions and, if Brighton asked me, I would say his name.”

With the Gunners already making contact with Fernandez's representatives, this could be a deal that progresses quickly before the window slams shut at the end of next month.

No Nottingham Forest fan could have predicted the impact Brazilian centre-back Murillo would’ve had in such a short space of time following his £15m move from Corinthians last summer.

The 22-year-old arrived as an unknown quantity, biding his time for his first-team debut, before grabbing his opportunity with both hands, starting the next 31 Premier League outings in a row between October and May.

His subsequent form has seen him linked with a £60m move to fellow English side Chelsea, but as it stands, he looks set to remain at the City Ground and build on his impressive first season in the East Midlands.

So far in pre-season, he’s formed an excellent partnership with new addition Nikola Milenkovic at the heart of the Reds defence, with boss Nuno Espírito Santo hoping the duo will be able to start together during the season opener a week on Saturday.

However, the defender could form another excellent partnership with one of his compatriots, with yet another Brazilian subject to interest from Forest in recent days.

Nottingham Forest make enquiry for Brazilian ace

According to UOL, Nottingham Forest have made an enquiry to sign Monaco left-back Caio Henrique this summer as Nuno looks to bolster his defensive unit ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

The Reds aren’t alone in their pursuit of the 27-year-old, with West Ham United also interested in signing the Brazilian before the transfer deadline at the end of the month.

UOL’s report states that he has a deal at the French side until the summer of 2027, but doesn’t name a price tag for Henrique, who is valued at £17.1m, as per Transfermarkt.

Henrique missed a large chunk of last season with an ACL injury, but his excellent form after his setback could see him be a threat at both ends of the pitch whilst also forming an excellent partnership with youngster Murillo.

Why Henrique could form an excellent partnership with Murillo

Since promotion back to the top flight, Forest’s recruitment of Brazilian talents has certainly played a huge part in their success in avoiding relegation.

The likes of Renan Lodi, Felipe and Danilo have all played a role along the way, with Murillo undoubtedly the best of the lot given his regular starting berth under multiple managers.

The centre-back excels in possession, averaging 2.9 progressive passes per 90 last season, playing perfectly into the hands of potential addition Henrique who likes to create opportunities despite his defensive role.

In his nine appearances for Monaco last season, the “impressive” talent, as described by one Brazilian scouting account, registered five assists – a staggering tally for a full-back.

He also averaged 4.8 progressive passes per 90, alongside 2.3 progressive carries, showcasing his desire to create opportunities where possible from a defensive position.

Games played

9

Assists

5

Progressive passes

4.8

Progressive carries

2.3

Tackles won

1.9

Blocks made

1.2

Interceptions

0.9

However, Henrique has also produced some impressive defensive stats, averaging 1.9 tackles and 1.2 blocks per 90 – allowing him to excel alongside compatriot Murillo at the City Ground.

Whilst it’s unclear how much a deal for the Monaco star would cost the Reds, he would be a stellar addition and one that could dramatically improve Forest’s options at left-back.

His injury last season will undoubtedly cause concern, but his subsequent form upon his return is evidence that he’s still able to star at the top level of European football – making him yet another brilliant addition for Nuno’s side.

After Jota Silva: Nottingham Forest want star who'd make Awoniyi unplayable

The Reds are one of several Premier League sides interested in his signature.

ByEthan Lamb Aug 1, 2024

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has provided the latest in Nottingham Forest's pursuit of another signing this summer as they look to hand Nuno Espírito Santo a squad capable of pulling well clear of the Premier League relegation battle this season.

Nottingham Forest keen to make signings

With a month left in the transfer window, it was suggested that Nottingham Forest would be looking to make five new signings before the window slams shut, with the reliable John Percy explaining that the Premier League side were on the hunt for "two wingers, a forward, a left-back and another goalkeeper" before the August 30th deadline.

Since then, they have added those two wingers, with Jota Silva arriving from Portuguese outfit Vitória S.C, while more recently they completed a move to sign Paraguayan forward Ramon Sosa on a five-year deal.

Perfect for Sosa: Nottingham Forest could land their own Foden in £35m ace

The Reds have already had a proposal rejected for the talent this summer.

ByEthan Lamb Aug 17, 2024

“Ramón has been coveted by many clubs but was so clear in his desire to join Nottingham Forest", Forest's Chief Football Officer Ross Wilson explained. “We could all feel his energy, emotion, pride and excitement to be here from the first minute he arrived".

Now, attention is turning elsewhere, with the club understood to be keen on signing Aston Villa left-back Alex Moreno on a season-long loan deal to provide cover at full back. They have also been linked with a move for Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, so the final thing on the agenda is a new centre forward.

Romano issues update on striker hunt

Now, Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the Garibaldi have seen a bid turned down for Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez as they look to bolster their frontline.

As it stands, they have both Chris Wood (who scored in Saturday's draw) and Taiwo Awoniyi to call upon, but they are looking for further firepower and have identified the Mexican as a potential solution. Gimenez was thought to be on the radar of Tottenham last season as he enjoyed an excellent campaign, and he has started the new season in similar vein with two goals and an assist in two outings.

Santiago Gimenez 23/24 season

Appearances

30

Goals

23

Assists

6

Yellow Cards

2

As per Romano, sharing news from Mexican media outlets, Forest are still in negotiations over a move for the talented forward, having seen an initial 25m euro (£21m) offer rejected. It is added that the offer is "not enough for Feyenoord to accept" and that they are holding out for a higher fee, but the Reds haven't given up and are pushing ahead to agree on a new number.

They will be in no rush for Feyenoord to sell the Mexican, with Gimenez still having three years left to run on his £29,000 a week deal with the Eredivisie champions. But with Wood now the wrong side of his peak and Awoniyi unreliable fitness wise, his addition would be a massive boost for Forest if they can get it over the line.

Fulham have had a busy summer transfer window once again. The Cottagers have brought five new faces to the club as they look to strengthen Marco Silva’s side to improve on the 13th-place finish last campaign.

A large aim for the window for Fulham this summer has been to strengthen things at the back. To help with that task, Silva has brought back two former players to the club.

The first is academy graduate Ryan Sessegnon, who joined on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract at Tottenham Hotspur. Joachim Andersen, who spent a season on loan at the club in 2020/21, signed from Crystal Palace for £30m.

The other defensive signing saw Villarreal centre-back Jorge Cuenca make the move to Craven Cottage for an undisclosed fee. The Cottagers also signed Sander Berge from Burnley for a fee of around £25m.

It has certainly been a hectic few months for Fulham in the transfer window, and they have added some talented players to their squad. However, their marquee signing this summer has been Emile Smith Rowe, and he has begun to make waves already in his short time at the club.

Smith Rowe’s move to Fulham

The marquee signing at Craven Cottage this summer has certainly been Smith Rowe, who joined the club from Arsenal. The Hale End academy graduate made the move from North to West London for an initial price tag of £27m, although that is a deal that could rise to £34m with add-ons.

The past few seasons have not been easy for the talented attacker, who has struggled with injuries and regular minutes as a knock-on effect of those fitness issues. Last term, the England international played just 13 times in the Premier League and three games in the Champions League.

However, his season in 2021/22 was phenomenal, with Smith Rowe showcasing his sparkling talent. The Fulham number 32 scored ten goals and registered two assists in 33 Premier League games that season, his best return. It was a campaign that showed off his slick close-quarter dribbling and exceptional control of the ball.

It is certainly an enterprising and ambitious signing from the Cottagers, and Smith Rowe is already repaying their faith. The Hale End graduate scored in his first home game against Leicester City, finishing off a tidy move to give his side a 1-0 lead.

The investment of up to £34m for such a talented attacking midfielder certainly seems like a superb addition to the Fulham squad.

It may also be the case that the club can make their money back on the attacker, through the sale of another highly valued player, who could leave this summer.

Market Movers

Football FanCast's Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club's star player or biggest flop worth today?

Antonee Robinson’s value in 2024

The player in question here is American left-back Antonee Robinson. The 27-year-old has impressed during his time at Craven Cottage, after joining the club in 2020. Football analyst Ben Mattinson called Robinson "insane", and that is certainly a thought shared by Silva.

The Fulham boss played the American, who has 46 caps for his country, in all but one of the 38 Premier League games last term, and he got six assists in that time. He has started this season excellently, too, registering an assist against the Foxes last Saturday afternoon.

That said, he has been linked with a move away from the club this summer, with a report from GiveMeSport in the last few days suggesting Manchester United are interested. As per an earlier report, he is valued at around £40m, meaning the Cottagers would make back the money they paid to sign Smith Rowe.

Perhaps surprisingly, Robinson is not one of Fulham’s highest earners and is in the seventh-highest pay bracket at Craven Cottage, one of four players to earn £50k per week as per Capology.

£130k

Bernd Leno

£100k

Raul Jimenez

£80k

Alex Iwobi

£70k

Issa Diop

£65k

Adama Traore, Timothy Castagne

£63k

Sasa Lukic

£50k

Antonee Robinson, Reed, Tete, Pereira

Given the fact the full-back is a key attacking outlet and works hard off the ball, selling him this summer is a risky move. However, they have the chance to recoup the fee they paid for Smith Rowe, meaning it could be a lucrative deal for Fulham to do this summer.

Whether he sticks around or does move away, they've certainly struck gold on this signing, one they completed for just £2m.

All confirmed Premier League done deals: summer transfer window 2024

Find every incoming and outgoing for each 2024/25 Premier League club here.

ByStephan Georgiou Sep 18, 2024

Everton left it late on deadline day, but eventually turned towards Armando Broja after surprisingly pulling out of a deal to sign an alternative attacking reinforcement for Sean Dyche.

Everton transfer news

Broja's arrival on loan with an option to buy at the end of the season rounded off Everton's transfer window with a bang. The forward joined Iliman Ndiaye, Jake O'Brien, Tim Iroegbunam, Jesper Lindstrom, Asmir Begovic and Orel Mangala on the Toffees' list of arrivals in a busy window that could make all the difference in their battle for Premier League survival.

Welcoming Broja, Everton's Director of Football, Kevin Thelwell, told the club's official website: "Having monitored Armando's journey for a number of years, we're very pleased to have been able to bring him to the Club.

"Armando is still a young player who has already built up some impressive experience, but someone we also feel has lots more potential to be unlocked. First and foremost, we will work with him to get him fit as soon as possible. Then, his addition will strengthen our options in the attacking department."

10 of the best free agents in football right now

These players could still be available come the end of the transfer window…

ByTom Cunningham Aug 29, 2024

Even after Broja's arrival, however, those at Goodison Park may be wondering what might have been. According to TeamTalk's Harry Watkinson, Everton pulled out of talks to sign Ernest Nuamah late on in the transfer window, with the forward staying put at Lyon in the end.

Reports suggested that Fulham had leapfrogged Everton in the race to sign the 20-year-old winger, but those at Craven Cottage had the same luck in pursuit of his signature. When the January transfer window swings open, there's no doubt he could be one to watch.

"Outrageous" Nuamah would have completed Everton attack

A player on the rise, Nuamah would have rounded off Dyche's attacking options superbly, joining the likes of Ndiaye and Dominic Calvert-Lewin to add an extra spark. What's more, at 20 years old, he's only likely to get even better with more experience, which will only increase Everton's deadline-day regret in the coming months.

Nuamah has earned plenty of praise over the years at Nordsjaelland and current club Lyon, with Football Talent Scout's Jacek Kulig dubbing his start to the previous campaign "outrageous".

With seven goals and three assists to his name last time out, that start quickly turned into a solid campaign for the Norwegian side and Lyon.

Now set to stay put in France, Nuamah's price tag may increase to the point that Everton will no longer be in a position to chase his signature, turning their collapsed summer move into a case of what might have been.

Everton have received an injury blow to a big player while away on international duty, meaning he could now miss the upcoming Premier League clash with Aston Villa.

Everton hit new low under Dyche

The Blues have suffered a miserable start to the new season, having begun it with hopes of an improvement being on show after three successive relegation battles in the top flight. Instead, Everton have lost all three of their opening Premier League matches in 2024/25, starting with a 3-0 defeat at home to Brighton and added to by a 4-0 trouncing away to Tottenham.

The real nadir came last Saturday, however, as Sean Dyche's side blew a 2-0 lead at home to Bournemouth late in the day, eventually losing 3-2 at Goodison, with two of the visitors' goals coming in stoppage time. It was one of the bleakest defeats that the Blues have suffered in years, and they arguably look like the worst team in the league currently.

In terms of Dyche's future as manager, the Englishman doesn't appear to be in danger of losing his job right now – Graham Potter has been mentioned as a possible replacement if that time comes – but it's fair to say that many Everton supporters are now running out of patience with him, following such a dreadful start to the season.

Now, the Blues boss has been hit with an additional headache to contend with, following an injury to an established and popular figure.

Everton hit with injury blow to "amazing" player

According to Liverpool World, Everton ace Seamus Coleman is an injury doubt for next weekend's clash with Aston Villa after picking up a fitness issue in the Republic of Ireland's 2-0 defeat at home to England on Saturday evening.

The right-back was forced off in the UEFA Nations League clash at Dublin's Aviva Stadium, being replaced by Blues teammate Jake O'Brien after 57 minutes, and he is now facing a race against time to be fit for another crucial Premier League game.

Admittedly, Coleman isn't the force he was at the peak of his powers, but he is still good enough to be starting for his country, and his vast experience is badly needed during such a tumultuous period at Goodison.

The 35-year-old certainly has his admirers, including former Everton manager Frank Lampard, who said of him earlier this year: "Seamus [Coleman] was amazing from the first time I sat with him, so now I messaged him the other day because he made his way 15 years ago. That was incredible, and what a player as well, by the way."

Minutes played

57

Touches

16

Ground duels won

2/3

Aerial duels won

1/1

Pass completion rate

82%

Losses of possession

3

Fouls committed

1

Fouls received

2

The hope is that the £55,000-a-week-earning Coleman is back in time for the trip to Villa next Saturday, having only started once in the league so far this season, with his character in the dressing room so priceless during such a challenging spell.