One player has decided his preferred landing spot between Everton, Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United and newly-promoted Coventry City after ‘positive’ talks.
Everton planning ambitious summer transfer window
The Friedkin Group have reportedly made it clear they intend to back David Moyes this summer, and the early signs suggest they might mean it.
Everton sit tenth in the Premier League on 49 points with two games remaining and Europe still an outside possibility.
It is a perfectly solid platform from which to build, but not yet where the new owners want the club to be long-term.
The forward line is the most obvious area of need.
As we relayed yesterday, Football Insider revealed that the Friedkin Group are prepared to fund a big-money striker signing, with other media sources suggesting the Toffees are planning to revamp their defence as well.
Meanwhile, TEAMtalk also state that Everton want to showcase plenty of ambition this summer.
Going back to their defence, both Michael Keane and James Tarkowski are now 33, and the club are actively planning to bring in another centre-back.
That is where one of Everton’s most intriguing potential deals comes in.
John Stones makes Everton, Newcastle or Coventry transfer decision
According to SportsBoom, ex-Toffee John Stones is edging closer to a return to Everton on a free transfer after a decade at Man City.
The 31-year-old England international is out of contract this summer and will not be short of options — Newcastle, Bournemouth and Coventry have all been credited with interest — but sources say Stones favours a return to Merseyside above all other destinations.
Indeed, despite the presence of the Magpies, Frank Lampard’s side and Europe-chasing Bournemouth, he’s apparently decided that the Hill Dickinson Stadium would suit him most.
It would be a remarkable full-circle moment.
Stones joined Everton from Barnsley in January 2013 as a raw 18-year-old, and spent three seasons developing into one of the most promising young defenders in the country before City paid around £47.5m to take him to the Etihad in August 2016.
What followed was a trophy-laden spell, but injuries have taken their toll.
Star prepared to be an Everton player next season with transfer talks planned
He’s one of their most likely deals.
Stones has managed just seven league appearances this season, totalling only 353 minutes, but he remains determined to be fit for the World Cup this summer.
Moyes, who originally brought Stones to the club, is said to be a huge admirer and has already held ‘positive talks’ over a reunion.
The manager sees the defender as the perfect figure to lead a defensive transition — experienced enough to anchor the backline, authoritative enough to guide the younger players around him, and available on terms that even Everton’s carefully managed budget can accommodate.
Landing a player of Stones’ pedigree on a free would be a statement, but Everton will need to be wary of his recent injury record.
Friedkin Group planning Everton deal for ‘big-money’ striker to back David Moyes
The Toffees want to be ambitious this summer.