Everton could re-sign Wilfried Gnonto and Kamaldeen Sulemana following the announcement of Demarai Gray’s departure.
After agreeing to transfer Demarai Gray to Al-Ettifaq, Everton may rekindle their interest in Championship duo Wilfried Gnonto of Leeds United and Kamaldeen Sulemana of Southampton.
Gray is poised to leave Everton in the coming hours after the club struck a £10 million deal to sign him for the Saudi Arabian club [Alan Myers, 6 September].
This move might pave the way for Everton to pursue two of their primary summer transfer targets, with the incoming monies available for reinvestment in big-money moves, with wingers being the priority.
With Gray on his way out of Goodison Park, there is a noticeable lack of depth out wide, with Alex Iwobi’s move to Fulham leaving a void that will be accentuated by Gray’s departure.
Following the departure of the Jamaican international, Sean Dyche will have an option between Dwight McNeil, Jack Harrison, and youngster Lewis Dobbin for the two wide spots, while Arnaut Danjuma and James Garner are also capable of playing there but prefer other positions.
Iwobi had began the season as the primary left-hand side option, with Garner on the right, despite the fact that both would like to play centrally. On deadline day, Iwobi left to join Fulham, leaving even less alternatives.
As a result, Everton may aim to go big in the January transfer window by bringing in one of their key summer targets, especially if Leeds or Southampton are struggling in the Championship and the pull of Premier League football is great.
The Merseyside club fell short in their chase of Gnonto, who was seeking to force a move, but Leeds’ £30 million value proved too much for Everton to match. With the extra £10 million from Gray’s sale, Everton may have raised enough finances to make a move more possible.
On deadline day, BBC writer Shamoon Hafez said the Toffees had submitted a £25.7 million bid for Gnonto, which fell short of Leeds’ value, but with the Gray money now in their pocket, the move might go through.
Southampton were expecting the same sum for any team interested in Sulemana [The Athletic, 1 September], with Everton keeping an eye on the situation while not making an official move, and if Gnonto decides to stay at Leeds, a deal for the Ghanaian may present an alternative.
These are two to keep an eye on.
In other Everton news, David Ornstein provided an update on Gray’s future.
