Everton transfer news as agreement close with Leeds United for Wilfried Gnonto – Sky Sports

Everton have reportedly expressed an interest in Juventus talent Koni De Winter.

According to Tuttojuve, the Toffees have got in touch with the Serie A club over the 21-year-old.

Everton are currently in the process of bolstering the ranks after only just surviving in the league last term.

So far, the Toffees have made one signing in Ashley Young, who joined Goodison Park on a free transfer.

Now, Everton have apparently contacted Juve to enquire about De Winter, a versatile defensive player.

The Blues are reportedly ‘interested in furthering the discussions in the event that the player is allowed to leave’.

As well as Everton, French outlet Lille have apparently made contact with the Serie A side over De Winter.

De Winter may not be a well-known name on these shores, but he’s been making a name for himself in Italy.

The 21-year-old defender is the youngest Champions League starter in the Bianconeri’s history.

He also spent last season on loan at fellow Serie A side Empoli, where he made 14 appearances.

Juve apparently rate De Winter – a 14-cap Belgium Under-21 player – very highly and don’t want him to leave.

With that in mind, it remains to be seen whether Everton manage to convince the Italians to sell De Winter.

That said, you’d like to think they could let the ‘extremely versatile‘ player spent a season on loan.

In that case, the Toffees shouldn’t have any issues in acquiring his services for the upcoming campaign.

De Winter plays at centre-back, but can also feature at right-back and as a defensive midfielder.

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Everton are closing in on their second signing of the summer with a deal close for Leeds United attacker Wilfried Gnonto, according to Sky Sport Italia.

The Toffees have identified the Italy international as a target for the summer window following Leeds’ relegation to the Championship, with a potential multi-million-pound deal on the cards to get him out of Elland Road.

Italian Sportitalia journalist, Michele Criscitiello, taking to his personal Twitter account (10 July), Everton are closing in on their top target this summer, and that has also now been relayed by Sky Italia late on Friday night (14 July, 11:59pm

“The English club is ever closer to closing for the striker of our national team. The class of 2003 could therefore continue his adventure in England”, Sky Italia writes.

Excellent first business

It finally seems as if Everton are starting to make long-awaited moves in the transfer market to address their dire attacking situation and signing a player of Gnonto’s ilk as a first seal is simply excellent business.

The 19-year-old has indeed enjoyed a stellar first season in England, contributing four goals and four assists in 23 appearances in all competitions but more crucially possesses amazing trickery, 1v1 dribbling, pace and technical skill to unlock even the best defences in the Premier League.

Credit to the Toffees for staving off competition elsewhere to secure an agreement for his signature, despite their uncertain state behind-the-scenes but it was clear Dyche needed reinforcements in attack following their dreadful goal-scoring record last season.

The Leeds man can now continue his development in a league that needs and requires talents like his and Dyche gets himself an attacking gem to kickstart his revolution at Goodison Park.

This is a great move for all parties involved.