Everton transfer news - Youssef Chermiti signs, Wilfried Gnonto statement, Kamaldeen Sulemana loan

Leeds United issue Wilfriend Gnonto statement

Major news - Leeds United have issued a statement to confirm that Wilfried Gnonto is not for sale.

The Italian winger has long been of interest to Everton and after being informed he will not be allowed to leave the Yorkshire club, has said he is unwilling to play for them.

Leeds state that this is now an internal disciplinary matter and no further comment shall be made.

Andros Townsend denied Premier League opportunity

Andros Townsend has revealed Burnley retracted an offer to sign him this summer.

Having left Everton at the end of his contract this year, the winger had been training with the newly-promoted side. There was a contract laid out to make a Premier League comeback, although the chance quickly passed by, Townsend told TalkSport.

"At the end of June, beginning of July I was invited first and foremost to go and train at Burnley, just to keep fit and get going. Then they soon realised, 'This guy has still got it, still got what it takes'," he explained.

"So the manager pulled me into his office and said, 'Listen we're interested, we want to see you against good opposition. We're going to take you on tour to Portugal and see you against high level opposition.'

"Went to Portugal, played a couple of games, Genk, played very well against Benfica, played 90 minutes. The next day I was offered a one-year deal, got back to England, went for my medical straight away.

"Passed the medical, I thought, 'Right, I'm ready to sign', I'm in the shower ready to go to the CEO after my shower and go and say, 'Shall I wait around, is the contract almost ready?'"

This is where things started going wrong for the 32-year-old.

He revealed: "As I'm in the shower, somebody from the coaching staff pulls me and says, 'Andros, the manager wants to see you in his office whenever you're done'.

"So I went and got dressed, went up to the managers' office and for one reason or another, the contract was no longer on the table for reasons I didn't understand.

"It's recently come out, the manager said in his press conference that other options that they were looking at had become available and injuries they had in the building had come back sooner than they thought.

"It's a decision I didn't agree with but that's life, we shook hands, we hugged it out, we went our separate ways and now I'm back here looking for another opportunity."

Onana linked to Caicedo transfer saga

The battle between Chelsea and Liverpool for Moises Caicedo could reportedly have an effect on Everton midfielder Amadou Onana.

Liverpool agreed a £110m fee with Brighton for Caicedo but the midfielder is claimed to be holding out for a move to Stamford Bridge. Should Chelsea not get get their man, though, the Evening Standard has reported that Everton's Onana is viewed as an 'alternative' target by the west London club.

Mauricio Pochettino's side have also seen a £48m bid rejected for Southampton's Romeo Lavia. It is said that Chelsea 'sounded out' Onana as a possible target, earlier this summer.

Everton rival Bournemouth for Che Adams

Everton are reportedly interested in a deal for Southampton striker Che Adams.

The Blues, who signed Youssef Chermiti earlier today, are still thought to be keen on bolstering their forward options. Daily Telegraph journalist Mike McGrath has stated that Adams, 27, has been the subject of an offer in the region of £13m from Bournemouth.

However, it is claimed that Everton are also interested in a structured deal for the Scotland international. Nottingham Forest are listed as another possible suitor for Adams, who has been at Southampton since 2019.

Everton season predictions

The start of the Premier League season is just a few hours away.

Everton get their campaign underway at home to Fulham tomorrow and Sean Dyche will be hoping to begin on a positive note at Goodison Park. Our Everton writers have given their predictions on where they think Everton will finish, top scorer and breakout star.

See if you agree with their predictions here

Everton face 'tough' transfer battle for Hugo Ekitike

Everton reportedly face a battle to sign PSG striker Hugo Ekitike.

The 21-year-old forward scored three goals for the French champions last season, having signed on the back of a breakthrough year with Stade Reims. The Blues are expected to add to their forward options and , despite confirming the signing of Youssef Chermiti on Friday. Sean Dyche denied any knowledge of a potential deal for Hugo Ekitike in his latest press conference.

However, 90min journalist Graeme Bailey has claimed that the Toffees are in a battle alongside Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt. It is reported that the Blues are 'working hard' on a deal for Ekitike but there is 'increasing interest' in the forward from elsewhere, with the two German clubs holding talks with the PSG prospect. The situation is described as 'tough' for Dyche's side.

Kevin Thelwell on Chermiti signing

Everton director of football Kevin Thelwell has discussed Youssef Chermiti's move to the Blues.

The young striker has arrived from Sporting CP and will provide competition for Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Neal Maupay. Chermiti scoed three league goals last season and Thelwell explained that the club have been aware of his porgress for some time.

“We are delighted to secure the signing of Youssef,” revealed Thelwell to evertonfc.com. “He is a player we have been tracking for a long time. He is a talented striker with a lot to offer who showed his undoubted talent in Portugal last season with Sporting.

“Having turned 19 in May, there is plenty of room for Youssef to develop his game, too, and we are looking forward to him being a success with Everton for many years to come.”

Youssef Chermiti's first words after Everton move

Youssef Chermiti said “it will be a dream to play at Goodison Park” as he completed his move to Everton.

The teenage striker has signed a four year deal after completing his transfer from Portuguese club Sporting. He is not expected to be the last forward recruit this summer, with Dyche and director of football Kevin Thelwell advanced in their efforts to find a striker with more experience who can support Chermiti, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Neal Maupay.

Speaking after the move was confirmed, Chermiti said: “It's a big move for me. Joining Everton is a new beginning, a new page and I'm very happy to be here. It is a beautiful city and a beautiful club. I'm looking forward to meeting the fans, my new teammates and to get to work with the coach. I want to embrace everything about the club."

Read the full story

Youssef Chermiti signs for Everton

Everton have confirmed the signing of Youssef Chermiti.

The striker arrives from Sporting CP and helps bolster the Blues' attacking options. Chermiti, 19, has sealed a move to Goodison Park that culd be worth up to £15million but Sean Dyche described him as a long-term prospect, when asked about the forward in his press conference on Thursday.

“He’s young. We’re not putting any kind of pressure on him at all at this stage," the Everton boss said. “He’s very young in his career on the pitch and off the pitch in his natural, professional understanding but we think he’s got the raw talent and ingredients to be a good player so that’s why we’ve got him here.”

Read the full story

Sean Dyche speaks about Dele Alli

Everton manager Sean Dyche believes Dele Alli’s situation highlights a major issue in football going forward that he predicted a long time ago.

Speaking last month in an emotional 45-minute interview with Gary Neville, the 27-year-old opened up on his mental health struggles, discussing the pain of a traumatic childhood in which he said he was molested at the age of six, exploited by drug dealers and brought up in a turbulent household. Although he praised the family that adopted him for the support they provided, he admitted that as an adult he was addicted to sleeping tablets and drinking to “escape reality.”

Asked how well the Blues were to deal with the player’s situation and how important the pastoral side of the care was, Dyche said: “Well he thought very well. I saw his interview and I thought he spoke very positively and fairly about what we’d tried to support him with and I think he’s come through it well in his own grounds, not just on any support we’ve given him."

Read the full story

Coleman hopeful over DCL fitness

Seamus Coleman has admitted he is hopeful gets 'that little rub of the green' in order to serve as a key player for Everton this season.

Calvert-Lewin has endured an injury-hit past couple of campaigns, resulting on the Blues battling to beat the drop in each of the previous two years.

The Everton No.9 remaining fit will be key to hopes of survival this time around, something Coleman is hoping can be the case.

"There's been a lot of talk about Dominic," he told Sky Sports. "He's had some injury problems but he's professional and puts so much work into what he does.

"He just needs that little rub of the green and, the way he's looking, there's full confidence he will be fit this season, be a focal point for us and score goals - because that's what he does when he's fit and in the team."

Sulemana claim

Southampton are only willing to let Kamaldeen Sulemana sign for Everton on loan this season, it has been claimed.

The Blues were linked with the forward during the January transfer window, though were beaten to the signing of Sulemana by the Saints.

Everton remain interested in the 21-year-old, though may have to settle for recruiting the player on just a temporary basis.

Sportsworldghana have claimed Southampton are 'only willing to sanction a loan', though a buy option is 'being negotiated' and could stand at £25m.

Gnonto latest

Leeds United remain adamant that Wilfried Gnonto is not for sale.

The winger has been of interest to Everton throughout the summer with, as previously reported by the ECHO, informal discussions between the clubs having taken place weeks ago. His club views him as a key asset and considered Everton’s initial valuations too low.

The ECHO understands Leeds’ position remains the same now. The club’s resolve could be tested, however, with the player having been absent from the squad that faced Shrewsbury Town in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.

Manager Daniel Farke later confirmed his admission was not fitness-related as rumours swirled over his future. Amid that speculation there were claims Gnonto had ‘liked’ an Instagram post that showed him in an Everton kit.

Asked about Gnonto during his pre-Fulham press conference, Sean Dyche said: “As you know, I don’t tend to speak about other players, he’s a good player, there’s lots out there.” There was a marked contrast between his response to questions over another rumoured target, Paris Saint Germain forward, Hugo Ekitike. Asked about claims Everton were negotiating a deal for the 21-year-old, Dyche said: “No, not to my knowledge.”

Joe Thomas has the full story.

Sean Dyche gives Youssef Chermiti transfer update and speaks on Everton linked pair

Everton manager Sean Dyche has revealed that the club are close to announcing a deal for Youssef Chermiti while also speaking about Blues-linked pair Wilfried Gnonto and Hugo Ekitike.

Gnonto started relegated Leeds United’s first game back in the Championship on Saturday, a 2-2 draw with Cardiff City but was reported to have made himself unavailable for the Yorkshire club’s 2-1 Carabao Cup win over Shrewsbury Town last night. Asked if that presented an indication that there was a deal to be done over the Italian international, Dyche said: “As you know, I don’t tend to speak about other players, he’s a good player, there’s lots out there.

"What I will speak about is Youssef, he’s nearly in a situation for me to be clear on. It’s very close now. So that’s why I’m happy to speak about that one.

“So hopefully that will get done and that’s a young player of course, who can add a different layer and a different dimension in rebuilding or adding to the squad. There’s a number of players out there, I’ve said all along we’re working hard, which we are doing, so let’s see what we can open up."

Chris Beesley has more, here.

Everton agree personal terms with Gnonto

Football Insider's Fraser Fletcher has claimed talks will continue tonight and over the coming days between Everton and Leeds for Wilfried Gnonto.

Personal terms have reportedly been agreed over a five-year deal for the Italian, who wants a move to the Blues.

He trained today for Daniel Farke's side but it remains to be seen whether he will feature against Birmingham on Saturday.

Marco Silva says Mitrovic is ready

Fulham manager Marco Silva is adamant that star forward Aleksandar Mitrovic is ready for their trip to Everton this weekend.

The Serbian talisman has been subject to interest from Saudi Arabia during the transfer window, the Cottagers have been forced to reject a £25m from Al Hilal in July.

Concerns were raised as to whether the forward would feature, following his standout displays in the Premier League last season which saw Fulham finish in a respectable 10th, in their first campaign back. It had been suggested that the 28-year-old was left furious after an approach from the Saudi Pro League side was rejected.

However, it appears that Mitrovic will not be joining the likes of Riyad Mahrez, Ruben Neves, N'Golo Kante and Kalidou Koulibaly who all made moves to the Kingdom this summer.

But the Portuguese tactician has allayed fears that Mitrovic will not continue his stay in the capital. Silva says the striker has been reintegrated into the squad and is ready as he looks to play a match-winning role in the former Everton boss' return to Goodison Park.

"He is ready to play. Since he started to work with his teammates again, on the pitch again, he's been the Mitrovic that I know," he began. I will not hide from you that one offer that he received made him think.

"It was a situation where he had a clear offer from a club, a very good offer for him, and sometimes it's not easy for [a player] to keep focus, even if you want them to keep focus."

For the Blues, they will be hoping that Youssef Chermiti can be registered in time for their showdown with Fulham on Merseyside (Saturday, 3pm). Everton manager Sean Dyche revealed that the 19-year-old Sporting CP forward was close to becoming his third signing of the summer.

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