Everton eye potential Andros Townsend replacement as £38k p/w speedster available for free

Everton need to strengthen their attack in the summer. While signing a striker will be a priority, reinforcing the wings is also high on the priority list. Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson, who scored the winner against Bournemouth, has now been linked with a move to Everton.

The Toffees sold Anthony Gordon for £45 million in the January transfer window but failed to sign his replacement. At the moment, Everton have four players who can play out wide – Dwight McNeil, Alex Iwobi, Demarai Gray and Andros Townsend. Although, Iwobi is currently playing on the right flank, he has felt much more comfortable playing centrally, behind the striker.

Townsend suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury last March and has been sidelined since then. It has almost been a year and the 31 year old is still recovering from the lengthy injury. This leaves Everton with just three wide options at the moment and no proper squad depth in wing position.

Everton eye Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson

Townsend is also in the final four months of his contract at Everton. He arrived on a free transfer in 2021, signing a two year deal and so far there have been no murmurs of him getting an extension at the club. He has been out of action for a long time and new boss Sean Dyche has not had a chance to look at him in training and use him in the games.

In case Everton decide not to extend Townsend’s deal and let him walk as a free agent at the end of the season, EFC will need a replacement. According to 90min, Everton hold an interest in Arsenal’s Nelson, who is also in the final four months of his contract and could walk out as a free agent in the summer.

The Gunners are set to continue talks with Nelson over a new deal but the involved parties are not yet close to agreeing terms for the new deal, giving some hope for Nelson’s admirers to sign him for free in the summer.

Everton are not the only side mentioned as suitors, as Brentford, Crystal Palace, West Ham United and Burnley also remain keen on the 23 year old winger. Nelson has received pre-contract proposals from France, Italy and Germany but so far he has not agreed to any deal. His priority is to remain at Arsenal but a new contract must be agreed upon or Everton might have a chance to sign him.

Will EFC have a chance to sign Reiss Nelson?