Media claims Cameroon defender and Phillips are back on Everton radar

Both these players - Jackson Tchatchoua and Kalvin Phillips - have been flagged as Everton targets before now.

Of the two, the rumours about Phillips seem the most concrete with Sean Dyche known to be an admirer of the Manchester City midfielder.

Now, according to Football Insider, the Blues are pushing ahead of rivals Aston Villa for a loan deal to bring the ex-Leeds United star to Goodison Park.

The former England international wants to leave the Etihad Stadium and both the player and City would it appears prefer a permanent transfer.

However, Everton's cash-strapped situation makes that almost certainly impossible.

So, if Phillips is to get the move away from Manchester he seems to want this summer, he may have to accept another loan as he did last season when he moved to West Ham.

That spell in East London did not go well at all and might weigh a little on Dyche's mind as he considers whether to try and secure a deal for a player once nicknamed 'The Yorkshire Pirlo'.

Phillips stock has certainly fallen considerably since then, with City now apparently desperate to get rid of a player they paid over £40 million for when they signed him in 2022.

But as we have seen all summer, the Toffees transfer business has tended to be focused on players who have perhaps struggled at previous clubs and so come to Merseyside with something to prove.

As for Tchatchoua, his situation is a little more intriguing and seems a less certain potential transfer.

The Cameroon full-back is currently at Verona in Italy but although he has been a regular starter for the Serie A club, according to reports they are willing to let him go.

He plays mostly at right-back, a position where Everton have struggled to find a regular and reliable starter for a long time now.

With Seamus Coleman now 35 and Ashley Young even older, neither obviously represents the future for the club in that position.

Nathan Patterson has talent and when he plays sometimes impresses, while at other times he defends a little naively and can be caught out. And his constant injury problems are a major concern.

Finding a player who can solve what has become an irritating positional issue would be useful and perhaps Tchatchoua is that man.

He would be available for around £6 million, which is not a huge amount making the 22-year-old possibly an affordable option and some needed long-term competition at right-back.