Everton take on Newcastle United at St James’ Park on the final day of the Premier League season this afternoon.
For once, Everton have little to play for and in a good way, as they don’t have to worry about the prospect of relegation.
The Toffees have already secured a 13th-place finish, which is set to see the Friedkin Group earn a whopping £140m in prize money.
David Moyes will get a large share of that in the transfer market, with the likes of Liam Delap and Jack Grealish linked to Goodison Park.
The Scotsman is also eyeing a Newcastle United star, so he will be able to have a much closer look at him today.
Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
David Moyes can have a closer look at Newcastle United star Sean Longstaff
Everton will have to strengthen their midfield ranks this summer following the departure of Abdoulaye Doucoure and Orel Mangala.
Idrissa Gana Gueye is still yet to pen a new contract, too, so there is plenty of work to be done in the middle of the park.
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With that said, the Toffees are interested in signing Newcastle United’s Sean Longstaff, who has already been given permission to leave his boyhood club if a decent offer arrives.
Longstaff is expected to start today’s game on the bench but could make a cameo appearance as he has done all season, giving Moyes the chance to have a closer look at him.
The Everton boss has previously admitted he loves watching live football to identify potential transfer targets.
Longstaff is open to joining Everton this summer
Longstaff is reportedly open to joining Everton this summer and given Newcastle’s £12m valuation, it seems like a pretty straightforward deal to do.
Leeds United are also showing an interest, however, so they’ll have to fend off competition from the newly-promoted side.
The 27-year-old is a box-to-box midfielder who has an exceptional passing range, so he would add a different profile to Moyes’ midfield.
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Longstaff also conducts his defensive duties really well, as he ranks in the top five per cent of midfielders across Europe for blocks per 90, according to FBref data.