Everton have yet to get going in the transfer window, with only Carlos Alcaraz joining the club.
He was on loan last season, and therefore, he isn’t exactly a brand-new signing, but David Moyes and TFG will be working tirelessly behind the scenes to bolster his squad ahead of the first season at their new stadium.
While the Toffees face an away trip to Elland Road to face Leeds in their match, the opening game at the Hill Dickinson Stadium will take place a week later when Moyes’ men face Brighton.
Between now and then, supporters will no doubt be longing for some new additions.
Everton ready to hijack move for Ligue 1 star
With Alcaraz through the door, it’s looking likely that Everton will make another signing in the shape of Fulham defender Kenny Tete, with the BBC reporting that talks are in progress.
A right-back by trade, Moyes could also be in the market to sign a left-back from Ligue 1.
Indeed, according to Leeds Live, the recently promoted club are keen on signing defender Gabriel Gudmundsson from Lille this summer.
However, the report goes on to state that Everton are ready to hijack the move for the Swedish defender, who has just one year left on his current contract.
As such, Moyes could perhaps land a bargain should he convince the left-back to swap Lille for a move to Merseyside, rather than Leeds.
Adding some depth to the squad is a priority, which means a swoop for £6m-rated Gudmundsson could be ideal.
Given the fact that he would be moving from Ligue 1, the Swede could turn into Iliman Ndiaye 2.0.
How Gudmundsson could replicate Ndiaye at Everton
Ndiaye moved from Ligue 1 side Marseille last summer, going on to become one of the club’s key players last term.
Indeed, the winger netted 11 goals across all competitions for the Toffees, helping the club preserve their Premier League status for yet another season.
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Ndiaye’s stats for Everton in the Premier League |
|
|---|---|
|
Goals |
9 |
|
Assists |
0 |
|
Big chances created |
3 |
|
Key passes per game |
0.5 |
|
Shots per game |
1.1 |
|
Successful dribbles per game |
2.1 |
|
Via Sofascore |
|
The Senegal international also ranked in the top 9% for successful 1.96 take-ons (2.52) per 90 when compared to his peers in Europe’s top five leagues, showcasing why Leeds writer Joe Donnohue has described him as a “fun” player who’s also a “risk-taker”. He’s also competent defensively, however, ranking in the top 11% for tackles per 90 (1.96) over the previous 365 days.
It proves that talent can be found at a reasonable price in France, so might Gudmundsson be the next player to move across the channel?
The 26-year-old would be a great signing. He made 45 appearances for Lille last term, which included nine in the Champions League.
An attacking full-back, he was notably impressive in the competition. When compared to his peers, the Swede not only ranked in the top 19% for progressive carries (2.96), but he also ranked in the top 9% for successful take-ons per 90 (1.66) last term.
Those are strong metrics, particularly considering the sheer quality of opposition he played against, with Lille coming up against Real Madrid, Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund and Atlético Madrid, defeating the two Spanish sides in the process.
Defensively, the 26-year-old won 54% of his total duels in Ligue 1 last season, along with being dribbled past on just 0.4 occasions per game, showing his strength in one-on-one battles.
Ndiaye made a wonderful impact after moving from the French top flight. If Moyes signs Gudmundsson this summer, the Swede has all the qualities to follow in his footsteps.
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He’s Ndiaye 2.0: Everton enter race to sign “wonderful” star
Everton have yet to make a signing this summer to bolster their squad.
