Everton manager Sean Dyche is eyeing a reunion with former Manchester United loanee Wout Weghorst, who he signed during his time at Burnley.
The 30-year-old is back at Turf Moor after spending six months on loan at Old Trafford but is expected to move on again despite the Clarets’ promotion back to the Premier League.
Dyche signed Weghorst on a three-and-a-half-year contract in January 2022 – only to lose his job three months later as Burnley tried to stave off the threat of relegation – and is keen to link up again at Goodison Park. The Dutch forward also has interest in Turkey, where he spent the first half of last season on loan.
Werder Bremen Niklas Fullkrug, top scorer in the Bundesliga last season alongside Christopher Nkunku is another long-term target for Everton – he also has interest from Fiorentina – while Ashley Young is expected to reject interest from Sheffield United, Luton and Burnley to join as a free agent.
Externally, Everton are ready to listen to bids for Demarai Grey under interest from a number of Premier League clubs and also from the Saudi Pro League. Crystal Palace, West Ham and Brentford are monitoring Gray’s situation on Merseyside, with the club already looking at potential alternatives – Leeds’ Willy Gnonto among those considered.
Newcastle plans mass exodus
Newcastle continues to work on bringing Leicester forward Harvey Barnes, whose arrival could spell the end of Allan Saint-Maximin’s career on Tyneside.
But after signing Sandro Tonali from AC Milan, manager Eddie Howe is now focusing his efforts on changing a number of squad players. Club captain Jamal Lascelles is among a number of players the Magpies are willing to move on Jeff Hendrick, Matt Ritchie, Isaac Hayden, Karl Darlow, Loris Karius, Ryan Fraser and Javier Manquillo also available.
Forest and Fulham lead Harwood-Bellis chase; City will loan Doyle to Leicester
Nottingham Forest and Fulham leads the chase Manchester City‘s England U21 centre-back hero Taylor Harwood-Bellis – a star in Burnley’s Premier League promotion campaign last year.
Harwood-Bellis has just one year left on his City contract and is yet to agree an extension, which could also tempt long-term admirers West him and Newcastle to take a step. Burnley could also come back for the 21-year-old, reuniting the player with Vincent Kompany.
Young City teammate Callum Doyle is set to sign a new contract at the Etihad Stadium before going out on loan to LeicesterHe has spent the last two seasons on loan at Sunderland and Coventry, achieving promotion with the former before losing out in last season’s play-off final with the latter.
Burnley maintain interest in Tresor & Clarke
Burnley have added Dara O’Shea and Jordan Beyer to their first-team ranks this summer but are keen to complete more business.
Mike Tresora 24-year-old attacking midfielder at Genk, and Sunderland winger Jack Clarkeformerly of Tottenham, are both of interest and talks have been held to bring both players to Lancashire.
Reijnders closing in on AC Milan move; Sporting CP to complete Gyokeres signing
AZ Alkmaar midfielder Tijjani Reinders pushing to complete a move to the Serie A giants AC Milan, with personal terms already agreed upon. The two clubs are now looking for a deal that is likely to be in excess of €20m.
Viktor Gyokeresstar of Coventry’s push for promotion to the Premier League last season, is rejecting Premier League advances to join the Portuguese giants Sporting CP. The 25-year-old Swede scored 21 goals last season, and will now compete against Europe’s best in the Champions League.
West Ham hold Luiz Felipe talks; The Zakaria persecution continues
West him is interested in the Real Betis centre-back Luiz Felipe but has not yet reached an advanced stage. The Hammers are on the hunt for a new centre-back after losing Craig Dawson to Wolves in January – Kurt Zouma, Thilo Kehrer, Nayef Aguerd and Angelo Ogbonna are David Moyes’ current options.
Talks continue with Juventus about the Swiss midfielder Denis Zakariawith West Ham ideally looking to complete a loan deal with an option to buy – the Turin giants would prefer to sanction a permanent sale or loan with an obligation to buy.
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