Everton transfers: Dyche targets 61-goal Dutch attacker and will finance signing by selling unwanted strike duo

Everton manager Sean Dyche is ready to go back in for the signing of Arnaut Danjuma – and the Toffees boss is hoping it will be a case of second-time lucky in his approach for the Netherlands star.

The Toffees boss was unable to add to his squad in the January window, albeit the gravel-toned gaffer only taking charge at Goodison with a few days left in the window. Nonetheless, he did see a planned swoop for Danjuma fall through late in the month, with Tottenham nipping in to hijack the signing.

Danjuma went on to sign for Spurs on loan from Villarreal for the remainder of the season. However, after scoring just twice in 12 appearances, Tottenham have decided against making his signing a permanent one.

Now back in Spain, Danjuma faces an uncertain future with Villarreal looking to cash in on the six-times capped Netherlands star.

And according to Daily Mail (July 1, page 105), Dyche is back on Danjuma’s trail and hoping it’s a case of second-time lucky.

The good news for Everton is that, rather than pay a hefty transfer fee for the £25m-rated star, Villarreal are seemingly ready to let the 26-year-old leave on a season-long loan.

That will suit Everton down to the ground with Dyche forced to operate with a severely-restricted budget.

Indeed, the Toffees have already waved farewell to Andros Townsend, Yerry Mina, Asmir Begovic and Tom Davies at the end of their deals.

And the cost-cutting measures at Goodison are not over either. To that end, Dyche could be forced to cash in on one of his prized assets in Jordan Pickford, Amadou Onana or Demarai Gray.

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Everton ready to sell unwanted striker duo

In an ideal world, Everton would retain the services of all three players. However, a sizeable offer would see Everton having to think long and hard about a possible sale.

Of the trio, there is perhaps the strongest interest in Onana, with West Ham – cash-rich from the imminent sale of Declan Rice – considering an approach.

Two players Everton are willing to sell, however, are unwanted striker pair Ellis Simms and Neal Maupay.

Football Insider reports Ipswich have already seen a £4m offer for Simms rejected by Everton. However, they could still land the 22-year-old with an increased bid.

Middlesbrough and Sunderland are also keen on the striker, whose deal expires in summer 2024. And an offer of around £6m could be enough to secure his signature.

Maupay, meanwhile, faces a less certain future after falling down the pecking order at Goodison. A £10m signing by Frank Lampard in August 2022, the 26-year-old has managed just one goal in 29 appearances.

However, the former Brentford and Brighton striker has interest in him from clubs in Italy and France. And the Toffees will not stand in bhis way if an agreeable offer comes their way.

Dyche will hope Danjuma can offer the Toffees much more of an attacking threat. The Nigerian-born attacker has 61 career goals from 187 appearances. Twenty-two of those strikes have come for the Yellow Submarine from 51 games.

His signing may not go down too well with fans after his January U-turn. However, he can quickly win them round by getting quickly in the goals for Everton. And his ability to play across the frontline makes him a very useful addition for Dyche.

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