Everton now in ‘live situations’ over two forwards at Goodison Park

Everton are still in ‘live situations’ regarding Ben Brereton Diaz and Samuel Chukwueze, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

What’s the latest news involving Everton?

Paul Brown informed GiveMeSport earlier today that the Toffees are still in the market for another striker signing, despite sealing a deal for Brighton’s Neal Maupay last week.

And that is perhaps unsurprising considering Everton sold last season’s top scorer Richarlison earlier this summer, while their first-choice strike option Dominic Calvert-Lewin has struggled with injury problems over the last two seasons.

It was claimed last weekend that the Toffees were closing in on a deal for Brereton Diaz worth in excess of £20m.

Meanwhile, Everton have reportedly been in contact with Villarreal over a potential deal for another forward in Nigerian winger Samuel Chukwueze.

The summer deadline is now looming and neither signing has arrived just yet, but the situation could well change in the final hours of the window.

What has Dean Jones said about Everton on Deadline Day?

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Jones suggested that Everton still have a chance of signing Brereton Diaz and Chukwueze, but warned that the Toffees need to find a breakthrough quickly if they wish to land the forwards.

The transfer insider said: “Chukwueze and Brereton Diaz are both still live situations as we head towards the evening but they really need to find a breakthrough. If they were to get both these players through the door it would be such a lift for Lampard.”

Who would be the more important signing for Everton?

Ultimately, neither Chukuweze nor Brereton Diaz are proven in the Premier League, so both signings would present something of a risk.

Nonetheless, when looking at Everton’s squad, it’s clear they do need a consistent supply of goals if they’re to enjoy a more comfortable season than a relegation-threatened 2021/22 campaign.

Richarlison was the only Everton player to score more than five goals in the Premier League last season, and while Maupay represents a decent-enough addition, he’s only hit double figures once during his three terms in the top flight for Brighton.

Calvert-Lewin scored 29 goals over the two Premier League seasons before his injury, but it remains to be seen whether he can stay fit more often than not this term.

And in that sense, when it comes to Chukwueze and Brereton Diaz, there is an obvious difference. Albeit a wide forward rather than an out-and-out striker, Chukuwueze has only ever scored 15 goals in La Liga across four full seasons.

Brereton Diaz notched up 22 goals last season alone in the Championship, and has already scored three times this term.

If Everton are at the stage where one deal needs to be prioritised over the other to beat the deadline, it should be Brereton Diaz that they focus on.

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