Hello and welcome to the ECHO's dedicated Everton news and transfers blog on Monday, May 29.
The Blues managed to beat the drop on the final day of the Premier League season, securing a 1-0 home victory over Bournemouth to ensure they will be competing in the top flight next campaign.
Abdoulaye Doucoure's goal helped Sean Dyche's side avoid relegation, condemning Leicester City and Leeds United to Championship football next year in the process. We will be bringing you all the reaction from last night's vital win at Goodison Park throughout the day.
On a transfer front, Lille are reportedly keen on recruiting Andre Gomes on loan for a second season while Everton are said to have named their price for Jarrad Branthwaite.
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Everton could listen to offers for Amadou Onana this summer
According to i news, the Blues could look to generate funds for a much-needed summer rebuild by offloading members of the current squad. However, the report adds that Jordan Pickford isn't expected to be one of those.
"Jordan Pickford has been linked with a move away from Goodison Park but having committed himself to the club by signing a new deal without a relegation release clause in February, Everton intend to keep hold of him," writes the i's Northern Football Correspondent Mark Douglas.
"Instead the club may listen if there are sizeable offers for Belgian midfielder Amadou Onana, who is being tracked by Chelsea and Newcastle. It is a department they have some numbers in, especially with the renewal of Abdoulaye Doucoure’s contract for another year."
How would you feel about the possibility of losing Amadou Onana, Blues?
Inside Goodison Park airs
Goodison Park at FULL volume!
— Everton (@Everton) May 29, 2023
https://t.co/USWfbmTN34 pic.twitter.com/gT67cwmoRa
I want changes at Everton immediately - the board and Farhad Moshiri deserved relegation
I am still struggling to come to terms with the events of Sunday afternoon at Goodison Park.
I thought the atmosphere was absolutely spot on, and I don’t know how we do it each year. I have been there as a fan back in 1994 when we were battling to stay up and, trust me, it was much easier in 1998 as a player. It is nervy, but you have adrenaline pumping and a job to focus on when you're competing on the pitch. On Sunday, the rollercoaster of emotions was horrible and I didn’t enjoy any part of it aside from the final whistle.
We’ve all had sleepless nights worrying about where we were going to get the points from, but it was just about getting our job done against Bournemouth. The only concern was what would happen in the ground if results went against us, which did happen, but I thought the crowd didn’t show fear.
Doucoure's wonder strike proved to be the difference, and what a way to settle a game. He anticipated what could happen and then it was like slow motion. His concentration, technique and the power? Wow. I’ve never seen Goodison like that before: the noise, the tension, the relief. I had my hands on my head, standing up and sitting down and trying to do anything to pass the time as we neared the end of the game. The players gave everything that they had and the whole team rose to the occasion.
Read the full story, here.
Seamus Coleman expected to extend Blues stay
Everton club captain Seamus Coleman is reportedly set to have his contract at Goodison Park extended.
The defender, who joined the club from Sligo Rovers in 2009, is out of contract next month and has not played for the Blues since being stretchered off against Leicester City in April.
However, according to The Times, it is "expected" that Coleman will be offered fresh terms on Merseyside.
Relive THAT moment
"WHAT A HIT! WHAT A GOAL!" @abdoudoucoure16 with the moment that mattered. pic.twitter.com/C8ekxY4fil
— Everton (@Everton) May 28, 2023
Yerry Mina embraces Everton dark arts as VIP section antics almost stop play
Demarai Gray was exhausted and injured as he hobbled off in the final minutes of Everton's survival-saving win over Bournemouth.
He had toiled throughout as he spearheaded an attack blunted by injury but fought for every loose ball he could muster the energy to chase. In the end, he could not last the full 90 after a hefty challenge that forced him into the stewards lying down on the touchline in front of the Main Stand - even getting a pat of support from one security official as he tried to get up.
After Dyche substituted him, Gray remained in the dugout and on the final whistle he launched up only to then be limited by the injury the emotion had made him forget - leaving him staggering into the celebrations. It was one of hundreds of small moments that made up the wider story of an anxious and tense day that ended in relief for Everton. Here are a few more.
Yerry Mina set up the final game of the season as also being his farewell to Everton in an emotional Instagram post the night before the Bournemouth game.
He used his profile to thank supporters for their backing and to reassure fans of his belief the club would remain a Premier League outfit - as it did. Mina has been excellent since receiving an opportunity from Sean Dyche and his 99th minute equaliser at Wolves in the penultimate match of the campaign was a fitting contribution to the Blues career of a player who has struggled with injury yet still built a bond with supporters. Dyche wanted players to stick to their normal arrival routine for the pressure-laden match and so they turned up at Goodison independently and, as they arrived, crossed the pitch from their entry to the tunnel.
Read the full story, here.
Everton 'stepping up' interest in El Bilal Toure
Everton are said to be 'stepping up' their interest in Almeria forward El Bilal Toure.
The 21-year-old has scored six goals in 19 La Liga appearances this season having joined the club last summer from Reims.
Toure is valued at £25million according to the Daily Mail, though Everton want to ensure he is fully recovered from a thigh injury before making a move.
The above report adds the Blues are also eyeing Manchester City youngster, Shea Charles.
Everton 'eyeing' Yuri Alberto
Everton are reportedly considering a move for Brazilian striker, Yuri Alberto.
Currently playing in his home country for Corinthians, the 22-year-old began his career at Santos before later representing Internacional and Zenit Saint Petersburg.
Alberto is under contract at Cortinthians until 2027, though GOAL have stated Everton are 'evaluating the possibility' of submitting an offer for the forward.
The article adds the Blues are yet to formalise a proposal, though have been in contact with the player's agent agent 'in order to gather information'.
Fresh Gomes loan 'not excluded' by Lille
Lille are reportedly considering taking Andre Gomes on loan for a second season if Everton approve of a deal.
The Portuguese midfielder has spent the current campaign, enjoying a relatively successful year, and could see the final year of his Blues contract away from Merseyside.
A latest report by French outlet La Voix Du Nord has explained it is 'not excluded' Lille will 'try a new a loan' for the player, particuarly if they are able to secure European football for next campaign.
Lille currently sit fourth in the French first division, which equals a place in the Europa League, with one match remaining in their season.
Conor Coady drops hint over his Everton future after survival secured
Conor Coady has admitted playing for Everton was the hardest season of his professional career - but has dropped a potential hint that he is sticking around.
Eyebrows were raised last summer when the Toffees signed the defender - then captain of Wolverhampton Wanderers - on a season-long loan. Frank Lampard immediately made Coady an integral part of his side, playing all but one fixture until the former manager’s sacking in January.
While he never featured at the tournament, Coady even made Gareth Southgate’s 25-man squad for the World Cup. However, a change in the dugout at Goodison Park saw his first-team opportunities limited.
Sean Dyche benched Coady after four games - despite keeping two clean sheets in that time. The 51-year-old placed his trust in Michael Keane and James Tarkowski, reviving a partnership that worked wonders for him at Burnley.
A spell on the sidelines raised questions over Coady’s future, with it still being unclear whether he will sign permanently this summer. There is a reported £4.5million buyout clause in the Wolves defender’s contract.
For the full story, click here.
'Bournemouth better side' - O'Neil
Bournemouth manager Gary O’Neil insists his team were the better side in their 1-0 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park and hit out at the match officials.
The result ensured the Blues avoided a first relegation in 72 years but even though his own side had already secured their own safety several weeks back, their boss, who turned 40 earlier this month believed they put up a good show.
He said: “It was enjoyable, I thought the lads handled it very well. They stood up to Everton’s direct play, showed real good control plus calmness and quality with the ball.
“It was what I expected it to be and I thought the lads coped with it very well.
“I thought we were the better side, I thought we were in control for the most part. There are still lots there that we need to progress on but we knew what we were coming into, a tough atmosphere against a direct team."
It's time for change
A damning opinion piece from Joe Thomas condemning - not celebrating - Everton after survivng relegation on the final day.
Dyche demands change
Sean Dyche declared things have “got to change” at Everton after leading the club to Premier League survival.
Speaking after the game, Dyche was brutally honest in assessing the scale of the task facing the club if it is to move forward.
He said: “It's a horrible day for all concerned. There is no joy in it for me other than getting the job done.
"Loads of work, trying to compact so much change in such a relatively short period – particularly with injuries and suspensions, contracts and all the stuff going on here, the underlying bigger news of Everton which since I've been here has been more or less negative about everything so that I've had to try to change and that's been difficult.
"I said to the players: 'We shouldn't be here. Enjoy this today and you've earned it but at the end of the day it has got to change.’ There is no point in sitting on it and saying 'look how great we are' because it is not like that.
"There is loads to change here and a lot of work to be done but it was a big step to secure it.”
Everton are safe but this is no success - change is needed at the club
This is not a time for celebration.
A time for relief, yes. Everton remain in the Premier League. This is good for the club, good for an inspirational fanbase and good for the city of Liverpool and beyond. But this is still no time for celebration.
Last season the club faced similar peril and the scenes of jubilation that marked the escape from relegation were as glorious as they were chaotic. But months later those images were framed and hung on the walls of Everton’s Finch Farm training complex. Wonderful memories were created that night but this was still, ultimately, a tribute to failure and one that should not be repeated.
The reaction to Everton winning this battle still sparked happy scenes but the overriding feeling is one of relief. That is understandable. A support that has sold out every single ticket available to it, home and away, is exhausted. They deserve so much better.
If they are to get it then the work needs to start now. The grim reality is Everton retained its prized place among football’s elite largely through the failure of others. Sean Dyche is due immense credit for leading to safety a side that was in a relegation spiral when he arrived in late January. But his rescue act should not have been necessary - though his appointment was the right decision that came just - just - in time to pay off.
Joe Thomas has more, here.
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Good morning, Blues
Good morning, Blues! Recovered from yesterday?
It was a drama-filled day at Goodison Park on Sunday, which saw Everton heading for the drop until Abdoulaye Doucoure's stunning strike from range earned all three points for the Blues.
Attention will soon turn to ensuring Everton do not find themselves in this position for a third year in succession and plenty of work will need to be done this summer to make this possible.
