Championship club set to sign Everton ace for €9.3m as replacement to €21m Everton target

Everton sales are picking up pace as second departure is on the verge of completion after Ishe Samuels-Smith to Chelsea. Everton striker Ellis Simms has generated a lot of interest this summer and finally he has decided to switch from EFC to Coventry City.

The Toffees need funds and several players have been linked with an exit. While players like Amadou Onana and Jordan Pickford are wanted by several clubs, they are also cornerstones of Sean Dyche’s side and EFC must refrain from selling them. However, players like Demarai Gray and Simms are not instrumental parts of the project and can be regarded as dispensable.

Simms had been on the list of several Championship clubs with Sunderland being one of the most interested parties. Ipswich Town, Stoke City, Swansea and Coventry held considerable interest. The Black Cats were eager to bring him back to the Stadium of Light after he impressed during the first half of the 2022-23 season on loan.

Everton striker Ellis Simms will sign for Coventry City

Dyche blocked a return to Sunderland in January as EFC were out of depth in the striker department. Sunderland held talks with the Toffees this summer but a move to the North East as Sunderland did not want to get into a bidding war.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Everton striker Simms is set to sign for Coventry City for a fee of £8 million. The Sky Blues are looking for a replacement for Viktor Gyokeres, who is headed to Sporting. Gyokeres was also a priority target for Everton but the Toffees failed to convince the Swedish striker for a move to Goodison Park.

Eventually, Sporting emerged as favourites to sign the 25 year old and Everton cooled down their pursuit. Simms will be Gyokeres’ replacement. A medical has been scheduled for the 22 year old Englishman on Friday, post which a deal will be officially signed.

EFC failed in their pursuit of Gyokeres or they could have proposed a player plus cash deal for the Swede. Simms is unlikely to get a starter’s role next season with Dyche planning to sign two strikers in the summer transfer window.

With his deal expiring in 12 months, selling him was the best solution. The Merseysiders managed to get £8 million for a striker that was in the final year of his contract and is not a regular in the team can be termed as good business for the club. More exits could be lined up as the Toffees will be looking to generate cash.

Have the Merseysiders made the right decision to sell Ellis Simms?