Everton could agree six transfers as two academy stars face first-team dilemma
Everton have a number of youngsters who could leave the club on loan this summer
Everton supporters are still waiting for their club to make their first signing of the summer.
Speaking after his side’s dramatic 1-0 win over Bournemouth, Sean Dyche was clear in his comments that his squad needs serious work this summer. The expectation is that some big decisions will have to be made.
The Blues face another crucial summer in the transfer market as they attempt to trim a bloated squad and bring together a group that will be fit for purpose. It won’t be easy, but Everton must do something to ensure they are not fighting relegation like they have done the last two seasons.
However, while all the talk has been about incomings in recent weeks, there has been little said in terms of outings. Mason Holgate, Dele Alli, Jean-Philippe Gbamin and Andre Gomes have all been linked with moves away, but as of yet, no firm offers have seemingly arrived.
But away from the first-team, Everton also have a number of under-21 stars who are expected to be in demand this summer. Loans are now considered a necessary final step for most of the club’s young players as they look to make the step up to Premier League level.
Last season, Everton enjoyed success in the world of sending their young players out on loan, with Tom Cannon and Lewis Warrington being the big highlights. Cannon, after a prolific spell for the club’s under-21 side, joined Preston North End in January.
The 20-year-old scored eight goals in 21 games for the Deepdale outfit in what was the first loan spell of his career. North End have approached the Blues over having Cannon back for the 2023/24 campaign, but given Everton’s current lack of firepower, the forward is expected to stay at the club, at least for the coming weeks.
While Warrington made 44 appearances for the Cod Army and impressed with a string of impressive displays for Scott Brown’s side, he too is likely to be a player in demand this summer, but given Tom Davies’ recent departure after he rejected the club’s offer of a new contract, the youngster could come into Dyche’s thinking.
However, one player who has already left Everton is Harry Tyrer, who has joined Chesterfield on loan for the season. The 21-year-old boyhood Evertonian, who joined the Blues’ Academy aged seven, will continue his development with Paul Cook’s Spireites after spending last season on loan at Chester.
The goalkeeper made 55 appearances for the National League North side, keeping 21 clean sheets and being named the club’s young player of the season. Also leaving the club on loan this summer could be Reece Welch and Sean McCalister.
Huddersfield-born Welch came close to joining MK Dons back in January, but the move collapsed at the 11th hour. However, the ECHO understands that both the defender and team-mate McCalister are keen to depart on loan this summer in a bid to gain first-team experience.
Another forward who spent last season on loan was Lewis Dobbin. The England youth international spent the campaign with Derby County, where he scored three times in 43 appearances.
