Everton are apparently considering swooping for several young Chelsea midfielders according to reports today.
Midfielders are the main focus of attention this week as far as Everton are concerned with the news that Abdoulaye Doucoure is close to fitness, while Jean-Philippe Gbamin leaves for CSKA Moscow.
These stories today are coming from the Italian media so should always be taken with a large pinch of salt. However, they may still be something to this.
Lampard himself is the obvious link in these rumours and his contacts with the London club is presumed to be a potential key to making possible deals for one or other players.
The two mainly mentioned in connection with a transfer to Merseyside are Billy Gilmour and Connor Gallagher.
Both are on loan to other Premier League clubs this season. Gilmour has been at Norwich City while Gallagher is playing in South London with Crystal Palace.
Of the two, Gallagher has had the better campaign and in fact has arguably been one of the best attacking midfielders in the league this season.
He has been outstanding for the Eagles and has caught the eye with many Premier League clubs taking note of his excellence. Gallagher was also brilliant and netted against Everton in Palace’s recent win over the Toffees.
The Chelsea youth product has scored seven goals this season from midfield and has been a huge factor in the Eagles managing to secure a solid mid-table position.
I doubt Gallagher will be a realistic target for the Blues this summer but I suppose Gilmour and others like Ruben Loftus-Cheek could be.
There is further rumours about a potential midfield recruit and this is a player from German football who is also linked to a move to Goodison Park, by the same Italian outlet.
That player is Wolfsburg’s Aster Vranckx. This 19-year-old midfielder from Belgium has been playing for the Bundesliga side this season and has done well. He’s a young versatile midfield talent who might be the sort of player Everton would consider.
These are all if’s but’s and maybe’s as far as possible transfer dealings go. Obviously, before anything can be done about further strengthening the squad, the key thing is first of all for the Toffees to stay up this season.