Ashley Young: Everton and Luton in talks with free agent

Everton and newly promoted Premier League side Luton Town have been in talks to sign free agent Ashley Young after the full-back left Aston Villa.

Young won the Premier League and FA Cup with Manchester United, as well as the Serie A title with Inter Milan.

Everton escaped relegation last season and are yet to make a summer signing.

On Monday, Sean Dyche’s Toffees travelled to Switzerland for a five-day training camp in the Alps where they will face second division side Stade Nyonnais on Friday.

Meanwhile Luton, who are set to embark on their first season in the Premier League, have brought in winger Chiedozie Ogbene from Rotherham and Barnsley defender Mads Andersen.

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Preston North End have held two meetings with Everton over a potential deal for striker Tom Cannon – and it could be permanent.

There have been a lot of reports about the future of Cannon in recent days.

Let’s break them all down in one place with the Everton forward attracting enormous interest…

There is only one place we can start though as the Liverpool Echo claim that PNE are knocking on the door for Cannon.

They state that North End have met with Everton at least twice to discuss a potential Deepdale return for Cannon.

Whilst we knew that PNE would want to re-sign Cannon on loan, what we didn’t bank on was interest in a permanent deal.

It’s stated that North End have been asking about a loan or a full-time move for Cannon, sparking excitement in the PNE fanbase.

Cannon hit eight goals in 20 games on loan for PNE in the second half of last season, showing immense potential.

The 20-year-old is back with Everton this pre-season and these rumours will get North End fans excited having expected Cannon to be well out of the club’s price range.

We still doubt that a permanent deal will be done but at least it’s something that PNE are exploring this summer.

The Sun’s Alan Nixon reported on Sunday that Sunderland are planning a cash bid for Cannon.

A £3million offer was mentioned, which we can only imagine would be short of Everton’s asking price.

Sunderland believe that Cannon has big potential for the future and certainly fits the mould of their recent signings.

Jack Clarke could move on after his move last summer whilst Sunderland have already brought in young talents this summer in Luis Semedo, Nectarios Triantis and Jenson Seelt.

Adding Cannon to Semedo and Ross Stewart would give Sunderland a very dangerous set of attacker but a the Liverpool Echo claim that the Black Cats are moving on.

Sunderland allegedly think Cannon is out of their pay structure and are looking abroad for another striker this summer.

Another club thrown into the mix is Luton Town, with Nixon suggesting that the Hatters have Cannon on their wish list.

However, Luton are currently focusing on another striker and may not turn to Cannon just yet.

Luton may look for another goalscoring option to help Carlton Morris and Elijah Adebayo in the Premier League.

Cannon fits that Luton are seeking; a player who could step up to the Premier League but if he doesn’t, he will be outstanding in the Championship should Rob Edwards’ men go down.

The wildcard rumour surrounding Cannon is a link to Blackburn Rovers.

The Daily Mail suggest that Everton spoke to Blackburn about a swap deal involving Cannon for midfielder Adam Wharton a few weeks ago.

Rovers certainly rate Wharton highly and the midfielder is attracting major interest this summer.

Cannon in part-exchange for Wharton is an interesting idea but the fact that this possible move hasn’t accelerated in weeks makes us thing it won’t be happening.

Seeing Cannon join Rovers on loan would be bad enough but a permanent deal would be very difficult to swallow.

We fear this will end up like Cameron Archer; PNE will chase a loan deal for most of the summer but be left empty-handed, either by Cannon staying at Everton or heading to another Championship club.

The permanent rumours are very exciting though and even if it isn’t Cannon, hopefully we see some cash spent on a new striker or two this summer.