Ao Tanaka to Everton transfer update emerges after approach reported for Japan international
Everton are not likely to do a deal to sign Ao Tanaka this summer despite links to the Fortuna Dusseldorf man, according to the Daily Mail.
The paper reported via their website on 30 May that a trio of players who have been linked to Goodison moves this summer are all unlikely to happen, including the Japanese midfielder.
Juventus’ ex-Liverpool loanee Arthur Melo and Burnley defender Maxime Esteve are also not expected to happen.
Japanese outlet Hochi had reported on 29 May that Everton had made an approach for the 25-year-old international.
Sean Dyche not set for trio of mooted Everton signings
As a player in Bundesliga 2 Tanaka might represent the sort of target from outside the obvious sources that Everton need to look for this summer thanks to the ongoing financial pressures on the club.
Sean Dyche appears to be looking to add to his midfield, with a move to bring in Manchester City misfit Kalvin Phillips on the agenda despite his miserable loan to West Ham last term.
That would seem to be part of a plan to replace Amadou Onana if he leaves, as Everton would likely rather part with than have to sell Jarrad Branthwaite this summer.
One way or another Dyche and Kevin Thelwell will surely need to bring in reinforcements for a squad that went nearly four months without a Premier League win between December and April last term, despite the final position in 15th relatively respectable in light of two points deductions.
It seems that a number of the early candidates linked to the club are wide of the mark, and if recent years is anything to go by there may be some disappointment in store for players Everton are trying to land.
But for the next month the focus is probably more on who leaves before 30 June than who comes the other way.
In other Everton news, a takeover extension verdict has been issued after 777’s lawyers ask for more time in court.
