The transfer window hasn’t started too well for Everton, but it’s still very early days.
The summer presents itself with an opportunity for The Friedkin Group to prove themselves with plenty to discuss.
Four ‘priority’ positions have been labelled with Everton fans hoping behind-the-scenes work is firmly underway.
One of the positions that has cropped up is a central midfielder, with the Toffees looking to improve their spine.
However, one player who seemed to be joining Everton’s exciting project has now had a bid tabled from Leeds United.
Photo by Sathiri Kelpa/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Photo by Sathiri Kelpa/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Leeds United table £22m bid for Everton target Habib Diarra
With the middle of the park considered, Everton want to sign Strasbourg’s Habib Diarra.
The box-to-box midfielder has been an ever-present name on The Friedkins’ list, and it was even claimed that Diarra would be Everton’s first signing this summer.
However, there haven’t been any concrete updates in the last few weeks for the 21-year-old who has been a revelation under Liam Rosenior in France.
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Now, David Moyes and co better start heightening their interest as fellow Premier League rival Leeds are causing problems.
L’Equipe states that the Whites are preparing a £22m offer for Diarra as the saga between these two clubs fighting over deals continues, and Angus Kinnear will now need to chase his former club.
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Everton might have an advantage over Leeds for Diarra deal
It’s a frustrating factor for Evertonians to see other rivals move in for major targets.
Diarra’s wide interest isn’t a surprise in the slightest though, with the Senegalese international flourishing in his role for Strasbourg last campaign.
At just 21, he captains the French side, showing the exact type of character the midfielder is and why Aston Villa also want Diarra.
But there is one thing Everton have which separates them from the other clubs, as Senegal teammates Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye’s relationship with Diarra could come in handy.
This is just one element that could favour Everton as they can’t just rely on agent Ndiaye or agent Gueye, and The Friedkins need to step up their pursuit.