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London clubs to compete for Everton striker targets

By Matt Townsend

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - MAY 01: Ivan Toney of Brentford battles for possession with Will Hughes of Watford during the Sky Bet Championship match between Brentford and Watford at Brentford Community Stadium on May 01, 2021 in Brentford, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - MAY 01: Ivan Toney of Brentford battles for possession with Will Hughes of Watford during the Sky Bet Championship match between Brentford and Watford at Brentford Community Stadium on May 01, 2021 in Brentford, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /
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This morning’s transfer stories centre on rumours that Everton are facing competition from a number of London clubs for alleged forward targets.

Those two strikers are Brentford’s Ivan Toney and the RB Leipzig forward Hwang Hee-chan both of whom have been recently linked with Everton.

Stories today claim the Toffees will be up against capital clubs Chelsea, Crystal Palace and of course West Ham United.

I say of course West Ham because the Hammers are usually linked with just about almost every transfer target mentioned in the media!

I can’t see Chelsea signing Toney he doesn’t fit the profile of the type of player the Stamford Bridge club tend to bring in but he might well be interested in staying in the capital if West Ham’s alledged interest has any legs to it.

We’ve covered both these stories earlier in the week and as so often with these stories there’s little real evidence that the Blues’ brass are looking at either player.

There is a need for more pace, goals and competition up front and on balance I would say that Toney is a player who might be a good addition, given his qualities, but fees of around £35 million are excessive.

One other issue for Everton to consider in all this is the status of forward Richarlison. The Brazilian international has had a difficult season with a slow start compounded by a ban for a crazy red card in the Goodison derby against Liverpool last October.

All season he’s had issues with his form and his goalscoring has declined from the past two seasons partly due to formation changes and perhaps other reasons too as he’s sometimes seemed a frustrated and irritated figure at times.

His declining goal contribution hasn’t been as keenly felt as it might have been because Dominic Calvert-Lewin was scoring freely, especially in the early months of the season.

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However, recently Calvert-Lewin’s goals have also declined considerably in recent months and his finishing has been wayward too.

As for Richarlison, although he has recently been talking about enjoying his life on Merseyside in the past, he has also in the past hinted he could leave this coming summer if the team didn’t seem to be making substantial progress on the pitch.

Well it doesn’t seem as though the Blues will have made a lot of progress if they only finish eighth or nineth and fail to qualify for Europe.

In truth though although he’s a talented player who is a dynamic and potent forward at his best, perhaps Everton should be willing to entertain decent offers for him this summer.

Let’s face it no one is more important than the club and if the Toffees could get something like £50 million for the Brazilian, (not certain I agree), that would bring in some serious funds to help bolster this still lopsided and weak squad, including up front.

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