Dyche confirms third Everton deal ‘very close’

Youssef Chermiti is ‘very close’ to becoming Everton’s third summer signing.

Sean Dyche’s side is expected to complete the £15 million capture of the Sporting Lisbon striker, who flew to the UK this week to finalize the move.

The Blues have also been linked with Wilfried Gnonto, who missed Leeds’ Carabao Cup win over Shrewsbury as he seeks a move away from the club.

Ahead of Saturday’s Premier League opener with Fulham, Dyche remained cagey on interest in Gnonto but anticipates Chermiti’s signing as imminent.

He said: “As you know, I don’t tend to speak about other players, [Gnonto] is a good player, there’s lots out there.

“What I will speak about is Youssef, he’s nearly in a situation for me to be clear on. It’s very close now so that’s why I’m happy to speak about that one.

“Hopefully that will get done and that’s a young player of course, who can add a different layer and a different dimension in rebuilding or adding to the squad.

“There’s a number of players out there, I’ve said all along we’re working hard, which we are doing, so let’s see what we can open up.”

However, the Everton manager was bemused by recent speculation of a move for Paris Saint-Germain striker Hugo Etitike on an initial season-long loan.

When asked about whether there was any truth in the interest in Etitike, Dyche replied: “No, not to my knowledge.”