- Artem Dovbyk is reportedly available for a move away from AS Roma this summer
- The Friedkin Group’s ownership of both clubs could simplify any negotiations
- A loan move may suit both Everton and Roma as the striker looks to rebuild his value
Everton’s summer transfer window is likely to be defined by one question.
How do David Moyes and the recruitment team add goals without, as ever, exposing the club to unnecessary financial risk?
That is why the latest reports surrounding Artem Dovbyk are so intriguing.
The Ukrainian striker is reportedly available after a difficult first season in Rome, with Italian reports suggesting Roma are exploring solutions that would allow the player to regain form and fitness while protecting the club’s investment.
Ordinarily, a player signed for close to €40m less than two years ago would sit outside Everton’s realistic transfer market.
This situation may be different.
Roma’s problem could create an opportunity
Dovbyk arrived in Italy carrying significant expectations.
The striker had just finished as La Liga’s top scorer with Girona, establishing himself as one of Europe’s most effective penalty-box forwards. His goals helped Girona secure a remarkable Champions League qualification and persuaded Roma to make a substantial investment.
Things have not gone according to plan.
A serious left-thigh injury severely disrupted his campaign and limited his impact, while reports in Italy suggest he is not currently viewed as a central part of Gian Piero Gasperini’s plans moving forward.
That combination has left Roma searching for options.
According to Corriere della Sera, via RomaPress, a loan move is among the solutions being considered because it would allow the club to avoid taking a significant financial loss on a player who still carries considerable value on the balance sheet.
His Girona record is why Everton should pay attention
Dovbyk’s record before joining Roma is what makes the situation so intriguing.
The Ukrainian scored 24 La Liga goals during Girona’s remarkable 2023/24 campaign, finishing above some of Europe’s most recognisable attacking names in Spain’s scoring charts and claiming the Pichichi Trophy as the division’s leading scorer.
Everton are not being linked with a player whose reputation is built on potential.
They are being linked with a striker who has very recently delivered elite-level output in one of Europe’s strongest leagues.
That does not guarantee success in the Premier League.
But it does explain why clubs may still view him as a player capable of rediscovering his best form in the right environment.
The Friedkin factor cannot be ignored
This is where Everton enter the conversation.
With The Friedkin Group owning both Roma and Everton, there is an obvious pathway to a deal that may not exist for other interested clubs.
That does not mean Dovbyk is destined for Hill Dickinson Stadium.
However, it does mean discussions could be more straightforward than a traditional transfer negotiation.
Reports have also suggested foreign clubs have already requested information regarding the striker’s availability, underlining that Everton would not have a free run at any potential agreement.
A sensible gamble rather than a guaranteed solution
The key point is that Everton would not be signing the player who struggled with injury in Rome.
They would be backing the player who fired Girona into the Champions League and established himself as one of Europe’s most productive forwards.
There are obvious risks.
The injury record must be assessed thoroughly and there is no guarantee that Dovbyk immediately rediscovers his best form in the Premier League.
Yet if Roma are prepared to sanction a loan move, those risks become significantly easier to manage.
Everton need goals, but they also need value.
A permanent deal would be difficult to justify.
A low-risk loan on favourable terms is a very different conversation.
That is why Dovbyk feels less like a transfer rumour and more like an opportunity worth exploring.
