The Toffees could be playing in the Champions League next season thanks to a fantastic first full campaign under Carlo Ancelotti. The veteran manager has overseen a transformative year for Everton with several key signings bedding into the first team and the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Mason Holgate coming of age.
If Everton are to be successful both domestically and in Europe next season, more quality additions will need to be made to their squad and some problem areas will need to be addressed. The following list of players are transfer targets the recruitment team should certainly be considering:
Dean Henderson
Hopes that Dean Henderson would oust David De Gea from the Manchester United net have been dampened this season. Henderson has seen his fair share of cup action, but the Spaniard remains the no.1 pick at Old Trafford.
Manchester United are unlikely to part ways with Henderson on a permanent deal but they may be persuaded by a loan move should Henderson push for more first-team action. Jordan Pickford has been criticised by many for inconsistent performances and high-profile errors for some time now. Ancelotti has largely stuck by the England no.1 but a viable alternative wouldn’t go amiss.
Santiago Arias
Several top European clubs are looking at the Colombian international, Santiago Arias, a cut-price option at right-back this summer. The on-loan Atletico Madrid man has missed most of the season through injury and is reportedly surplus to requirements at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Seamus Coleman has been a fantastic servant for Everton, but he is getting on now. Mason Holgate has deputised well at right-back, but a more natural attacking fit would suit the Toffees. Arias fits the bill and is an option likely to be considered.
Perhaps the biggest red flag against Arias’ name is his age. At 29, Arias may just be another stop-gap squad option at right-back with no sell on value. Also, his season-ending injury could have a long-term effect as he regains fitness. Arias is worth considering but there may be better options available.
Max Aarons
Heavily linked with both Everton and Liverpool last summer, Max Aarons is set to be the subject of much transfer interest again this summer. The Norwich right-back is set to return to the Premier League with the Canaries but with interest from the likes of Bayern Munich, Aarons may not be in yellow for much longer.
Aarons is eight years younger than Arias and would be a much longer-term option if Everton were to pursue his signature. At just 21-years-old and likely back in the Premier League, Aarons wouldn’t come cheap.
However, Everton have already had success in recruiting former Canary Ben Godfrey with reasonable success so may well be tempted to return for another. Aarons is currently priced at 3/1 to sign for Everton, making them joint-favourites with Spurs in terms of Premier League odds.
Adrian Rabiot
Having previously chased the signature of Adrian Rabiot last year, Carlo Ancelotti is rumoured to be interested in signing the Frenchman once again. The Toffees boss has previously worked with Rabiot at PSG and the current Juventus midfielder is said to be open to the move.
Rabiot has bags of experience at the top level in European competition and his signing would add further pedigree to the squad. The reported figure of £26m for the 25-year-old could be a shrewd piece of business.
Leon Bailey
Everton have been linked to multiple right-wingers, but few are more exciting than Bayer Leverkusen’s Leon Bailey. The pacey Jamaican wide man is still just 23-years-old and has bagged double-figure goal contributions in the Bundesliga.
A rumoured price of £35m would make Bailey expensive but not prohibitively so. Bernard and Alex Iwobi are good squad options but if Everton wants to push on and challenge in Europe, they will need to look for first-team upgrades like Bailey.
Ismaila Sarr
A long-term target of rivals Liverpool, Ismaila Sarr could be just the man Everton need. The Senegalese winger is currently playing in the Championship with Watford after his breakthrough Premier League campaign the season before. Sarr’s pace, power, and directness is a frightening combination that is currently in short supply at Goodison Park.
Should Watford fail to gain promotion back to the Premier League, Sarr could be available at a bargain price. There are areas of his game he will need to develop but Sarr would definitely be a smart long-term investment for Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton.
