Everton are desperate to sign a right-winger before the summer transfer window slams shut.
David Moyes has made a right-winger a top priority, with the position threadbare at the moment, following Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom’s exits.
Everton have looked at Takefusa Kubo at Real Sociedad, however, that rumour has gone quiet over the last couple of weeks.
Malick Fofana is also on Moyes’ radar and he has recently fuelled speculation, admitting he would leave Lyon for the right club.
“It’s not that I want to leave, but if we have a good opportunity, we’ll see,” Fofana said on the weekend.
The Toffees are exploring a deal to sign Tyler Dibling, so with that said, let’s take a look at how their stats compare.
Malick Fofana playing for Belgium.
Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Who Everton should sign out of Malick Fofana and Tyler Dibling
It seems Everton are torn between accelerating a deal to sign Fofana or Dibling, so let’s explore who the better option would be.
Fofana is just under a year older than Dibling, but already, he’s shown an end product, albeit in a better Lyon side.
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In his short career, the 20-year-old has made over 100 senior appearances for Gent and Lyon, netting 20 goals.
127 appearances
20 goals
18 assists
Compare that to Dibling, and there is a notable drop-off, with the 19-year-old netting just four senior goals.
44 appearances
4 goals
3 assists
Malick Fofana’s underlying data vs Tyler Dibling
The underlying data also lies with Fofana, as he ranks in the top 10 per cent for non-penalty goals per 90 compared to his positional peers across Europe, as per FBref.
Stats (per 90) Fofana Dibling
Non-penalty goals 0.45 0.10
Progressive carries 6.65 3.31
Progressive passes recieved 11.41 4.61
The Belgium international trumps Dibling in all three statistics used, evincing that he’s a better finisher and dribbler.
Fofana’s movement is more advanced, too, as he finds himself receiving the ball in better areas of the pitch.
Lyon are demanding closer to the £40m mark for the winger, so he would be slightly cheaper than Dibling.
These are the conversations Everton chiefs will be having in the final days of the window. It’ll be fascinating to see what decision they come to.