Hello and welcome to the ECHO's dedicated Everton FC news and transfers blog on Friday, April 14.
The Blues only have huge games now until the end of the season as they look to once again fend off the threat of relegation. This weekend, former boss Marco Silva brings his Fulham side to Goodison Park and what has the making of a tricky fixture for the Toffees.
Sean Dyche will again be without the services of main striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin as he continues to recover from injury and Seamus Coleman is out of action with a ham-string problem.
On the transfer rumours front, Everton are claimed to be after PSV Eindhoven's Ibrahim Sangare this summer, with the defensive midfielder reportedly having a £35million release clause in his contract.
Reports are suggesting that Alex Iwobi has delayed signing a new contract until the Blues' Premier League status is secured for another season and the Blues are also named amongst a trio of clubs interested in Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun.
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No DCL again
Sean Dyche will once again be unable to call for Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the home match against Fulham tomorrow afternoon.
Dyche's side need to capitalise on their home matches and this is Everton's chance to gain a further three points on their road to survival in the Premier League.
Must win game?
Everton are back at Goodison Park tomorrow when they take on Fulham who are sitting pretty in 10th and away from any relegation danger.
The Blues' form at home under Sean Dyche has been great and will be the reason they manage to avoid relegation if they do so a win tomorrow could be vital.
Fulham have surprised many this season with their league position and some of the wins they have recorded and they won't be easy for Everton with former boss Marco Silva returning.
Udinese 'make Beto call'
Udinese are reportedly fully preparing for their goalscorer Beto to leave the club in the summer.
A number of forwards were linked with the Blues during the month, with reports from both England and Italy claiming after the window shut that Everton had a bid worth £20m plus add-ons rejected for Beto.
And now according to TuttoMercatoWeb, Udinese have lined up a move for Brenner Souza da Silva as a replacement for Beto.
Barton makes Gibson transfer admission
Bristol Rovers boss Joey Barton would love to see Lewis Gibson play for Bristol City beyond the end of this season - but is realistic about his chances.
The 22-year-old, on loan from Everton, is out of contract at Goodison Park at the end of this season, and it is not yet known if the defender will extend his deal.
And although Barton insists he has not yet discussed the issue with Everton manager Sean Dyche, he is hopeful the centre-back will remain at his club.
"Obviously, that will depend on what Everton will do. I haven’t spoken to Dychey about it; we speak almost on a daily basis but Lewis is not one we have spoken about," he told Bristol Live.
"It will depend on what his contract is at Everton and what Everton want to do and what division Everton are in. If Everton drop into the Championship, they might want to keep hold of him.
"I don’t know. I don’t know what the future looks like. I think it’s less likely if they stay in the Premier League, but who knows? I know Dychey, as a centre-half, will be watching Lewis and will be aware of his qualities.
"We’d love him to stay at the football club, I think he knows exactly how we feel about him. From our perspective, if somebody comes from higher up with a bigger budget and the opportunity to play in the Championship, it’s going to be tricky.
"But I think he’s just enjoying his football at the minute, he’s enjoying being fit, he’s enjoying being in a good defence that is getting results and limiting the opponent to few opportunities.
"He’s played a lot of football for me as a manager and hopefully he wants to come and do that more. We would be delighted if that is the case, but the ball is not in our court."
Everton have Liverpool win in their sights after season of positives for U21s
Everton’s youngsters will need no help to motivate themselves when the club’s Under-21s meet their Merseyside rivals, according to boss Paul Tait.
The passion and intensity runs through the derby games regardless of age level and hostilities are set to resume on Sunday. Everton will be seeking to put right the 2-1 loss to Liverpool suffered earlier in the season.
The tie comes as the Premier League Two season nears its climax with Everton currently in eighth place in the 14-team league.
While mid-table beckons it has been a positive year for the most senior academy side at Finch Farm. The starlets have earned wins over Manchester City and Paris Saint Germain in youth competitions, reached the last 16 of the Papa John’s Trophy after proving competitive against Football League first teams and the likes of Tom Cannon, Stanley Mills and Reece Welch have continued their development.
For the full story, click here.
Everton show 'interest' in Balogun
Everton are among the Premier League clubs being linked with a move for Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun.
The 21-year-old has been in fine form during a loan spell with Reims this season, scoring 19 goals in 31 appearances for the French side.
Set to return to the Gunners at the end of the season for 'crunch talks' over his future, 90min.com have stated a second loan move has been ruled out by the player's representatives ahead of the summer window.
The article adds Brentford, Crystal Palace, Leicester City and Wolves will rival interest from Everton, along with a selection of European sides. Balogun's asking price is said to be £30million.
Iwobi 'holding off' on new contract
Alex Iwobi is said to be delaying signing a new deal at Everton amid uncertainty over which division the Blues will be featuring in next season.
The Nigerian midfielder is out of contract in the summer of 2024, but was understood to have made positive progress over extending his stay on Merseyside in recent months.
But Football Insider have now claimed the player is 'holding off' putting pen to paper on fresh terms until 'Everton's future in the top flight is decided'.
Everton 'eye' Sanagre
Everton are said to 'have their eye' on PSV midfielder Ibrahim Sanagre.
The Ivorian is under contract at his current employers until 2027 and has impressed since signing for the Eredivisie giants in 2020.
Calciomercato have claimed Everton will have to pay the player's £35million release clause to stand a chance of securing Sanagre's services.
Sean Dyche gives short answer to Dominic Calvert-Lewin injury question
Everton manager Sean Dyche has been coy over a possible return to first-team action for Dominic Calvert-Lewin against Fulham as Seamus Coleman misses out.
The forward has been following a specific programme in order to nurse him back to full fitness after coming off after an hour in the former Burnley boss' first game in charge against Arsenal.
Calvert-Lewin has spent a number of spells out on the sidelines leaving Neal Maupay and Ellis Simms as the only strike-options off the bench. Another casualty is the Everton captain after limping off during last weekend's 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford.
"He's got a niggly hamstring which will need a bit of time to settle down I think. He's been in fine form so that's another awkward one for us, it shouldn't be too long but he won't be fit for the weekend," said Dyche on Coleman.
"The truth is he's training and going along well," Dyche continued on Calvert-Lewin's fitness. "Having good players available is always the start point and it helps if you have strikers available who are proven and he is a proven striker."
Abdoulaye Doucoure will be serving his second of a three-match ban when the Cottagers visit Goodison Park on Saturday (3pm kick-off) after his red card against Tottenham Hotspur.
Read the full story HERE.
It's Friday!
Good morning Blues. The weekend is almost upon us and Everton are back in action tomorrow at home to Fulham.
Stick with us today as we bring you all the latest news, match build-up and transfer rumours from across the globe.
