Everton now face ‘complicated dilemma’ in pursuit of £35m Hugo Ekitike deal –
Everton are faced with a “complicated dilemma” their attempts to sign Hugo Ekitike from PSG having failed with a loan-to-buy offer, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Italian journalist told GIVEMESPORT (18 August) that the Toffees’ bid was “way below” the French giants’ asking price of at least €35million [£30m] and it is not an “easy” deal to get Sean Dyche has brought in Youssef Chermiti, 19, from Sporting to boost his striking options but has been after another at the position this summer, although there has been a suggestion that Ekitike, 21, is not a universal choice at Goodison Park.done.
Romano said: “Yeah, with Hugo Ekitike they tried the loan to buy option but, at the moment, there is still no agreement with Paris Saint-Germain.
“They wanted at least a €35m package for Ekitike and the
For that money it is always going to be a stretch for Everton at the moment, and while Ekitike would represent a move proven option than Chermiti he is not massively more experienced.
Dyche seems to be dead set on pushing whatever money he can get his hands on towards the attempts to sign Willy Gnonto from Leeds United.
And while it could easily be argued that a central striker is of greater priority than another wide attacker, it will need to be one that the manager wants for a deal to have a chance of proving successful down the line.
bid was way below these numbers. So, at the moment, it’s not something that is easy, so let’s see if Everton will try again, but it’s a complicated dilemma.”
Rumblings that Ekitike might be a deal driven more by the ownership haven’t been confirmed but, while Ekitike is undoubtedly a talent, if he isn’t a Dyche target then it wouldn’t be worthwhile spending £30m on him.
Che Adams appears to be the primary option as an experienced central striker, but while he is performing admirably in the Championship so far this season his record in the Premier League doesn’t particularly stand out.
If the manager sees his ability to hold up the ball and bring others into play as equally important to actually scoring goals that might not matter to him, but there have to be questions asked about whether it might have been better to just keep Ellis Simms and save some money if the Scotland international is the top choice now.
In other Everton news, more players could be sold to fund a deal that the club have been pushing hard to get done.
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