Everton has agreed to a £22 million deal for Kamaldeen Sulemana, but they will face competition from another Premier League club.
Sean Dyche wants to improve Everton’s forward options, which are currently 19th in the Premier League. The Toffees have only scored 15 goals so far and need to be more creative.
With Dyche expected to use his preferred 4-4-2 formation at Everton, it is understandable that they are looking for wingers.
Following the departure of Anthony Gordon, Everton only has the likes of Dwight McNeil and Demarai Gray to rely on in the wide areas.
According to the Daily Mail, Everton has agreed to a £ 22 million deal with Rennes, although Southampton has also had a bid accepted.
Therefore whoever offers the more attractive contract is likely to land the 20-year-old. Sulemana has featured in 18 games this season, although the majority of his appearances have come from the bench.
He has scored one goal and produced two assists for Rennes this season. While those numbers aren’t huge, he is averaging a goal contribution every 167 minutes which is decent going.
Sulemana also featured for Ghana at the World Cup as he made two substitute appearances. He was signed by Rennes last season and did well in his debut campaign.
During 2021-22 he averaged 2.7 dribbles per game, which is significantly more than any Everton player has managed this season.
In fact, no Everton player has averaged more than one dribble per game this year. A new dynamic wide man could change their fortunes immensely.
Everton’s chances of survival
Dyche is well aware of the situation he is about to enter at Goodison Park. As of now, Everton is expected to earn only 28 points this season.
The deadline will be their last chance to bolster their squad before the second half of the season.
Upon taking the job, Dyche told the club website: “Our aim is to put out a team that works, that fights and wears the badge with pride. The connection with the fans can then grow very quickly because they’re so passionate.
“There is quality in this squad. But we have to make them shine. That’s the job of me and my staff. We want to change the shape of this club going forward, and remodel it in our style, but in a way that we can win.
“That’s the task ahead of us – to make sure we’re building tactically and technically, giving players organization, allowing them the freedom to play, to go and enjoy their football because it’s brilliant when the team’s playing with a smile, but we have to win.”
The new manager will be thrust into the thick of things, with his first two games against Arsenal and Liverpool. As things stand, his team is two points away from safety.
