Everton face messy transfer saga as club now demand more than ‘unbelievable’ player’s release clause
Everton are now looking for any last-minute deals they can get over the line before they jet off for the United States.
In reality, David Moyes still has plenty of time to get players through the doors in time for the new season.
However, the 62-year-old is keen to see new faces land at Finch Farm in time to join them on Everton’s pre-season tour.
Moyes is demanding new signings for Everton at every opportunity he gets to speak publicly this summer.
It is clear the Everton boss was hoping to see more done at this stage of the window, with June essentially being a write-off for the Blues.
Everton are looking to improve their attacking options, but it is proving an extremely competitive market for Angus Kinnear to operate in.
There has been some encouraging news, though. One of Everton’s targets has now had his price tag revealed, with his current club accepting his likely departure.
Lucas Vazquez: “I’ve had the privilege of sharing a dressing room with legends” – Managing Madrid
Everton informed of Bilal El Khannouss’ Leicester price tag
On Thursday, Everton News reported the story of Bilal El Khannouss having a £22.5m relegation release clause in his contract.
However, there is now a fresh report, which is suggesting Leicester City could demand even more than that for the player.
According to Sky Sports, the Foxes are looking for a fee in excess of £25m for El Khannouss this summer.
The specifics of his relegation release clause are going to need to be looked into, if this is the case.
It still feels like a potential deal to be had for the Toffees, but they will, of course, prefer to deal at the lower release clause.
Everton look set to lose out on Wilfred Ndidi, who also has a relegation release clause in his Leicester contract.
With the ‘unbelievable‘ El Khannouss, it may well be a case of Kinnear testing the waters if Everton do hold a true interest in signing the attacking midfielder.
Everton must avoid their own Morgan Gibbs-White scenario
Elsewhere in the Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur have hit an impasse in their pursuit of Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White.
Lucas Vazquez: “I’ve had the privilege of sharing a dressing room with legends” – Managing Madrid
This could well prove a lesson to Everton if they are to make a move for El Khannouss given the contrasting reports on Leicester’s asking price.
Everton must play it safe if they are to make an approach to the Foxes, who are believed to have a release clause in his deal.
However, if this turns out not to be the case, then Everton may only have to put forward another £2.5m to secure the player’s services.