Everton have now made an enquiry over signing an impressive Ligue 1 defender in a deal that The Friedkin Group could be perfectly placed to land.
Everton launch enquiry over signing Ligue 1 star
The Toffees are no longer a side languishing at the bottom of the Premier League. They've been given new life under Friedkin and the return of David Moyes in their new, Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Now, they've got the chance to shock the rest of English football by qualifying for European football. Ahead of Monday's clash against an in-form Manchester United side, Everton sit eighth and could have the chance to jump up to seventh if Brentford lose against Brighton & Hove Albion.
European qualification would reward Friedkin for their recent investment which saw them welcome the likes of Thierno Barry and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in a busy window last summer.
Everton's most expensive signings of all time
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Tyler Dibling was a particularly heavy investment, costing around £42m last summer, and whilst he is yet to show his best form at Everton, his arrival highlighted their new spending power last year.
They'll be hoping for similar deals this time around, too. Recent rumours are already indicating that Friedkin will back Moyes once again, though this time to welcome even more impressive players.
That could yet include Promise David from Union Saint-Gilloise. The forward has already hit the 15-goal mark in all competitions this season and is reportedly on the Toffees' radar.
promise-david
The same can be said for a Ligue 1 defender. According to TeamTalk, Everton have now enquired about signing Saud Abdulhamid from AS Roma when he returns to the Italian club from Lens this summer.
Friedkin could hold key in Abdulhamid deal
It's easy to see why Everton are interested in Abdulhamid. He has become an important player on loan at Lens, who are on course for a shock victory in Ligue 1 ahead of European giants Paris Saint-Germain. But it won't be an easy deal to pull off.
Lens reportedly have the option to make the right-back's move permanent this summer after a successful loan spell and are keen to do so. Roma, however, could trigger their own buy-back option to then sell Abdulhamid for even greater profit.
Sondre Auklend of FK Bodo:Glimt and Robin Le Normand of Atletico de Madrid Related
[Everton now planning formal bid for "one of the best centre-backs in Europe"](https://www.footballfancast.com/everton-now-planning-formal-transfer-bid-robin-le-normand/ "Everton now planning formal bid for "one of the best centre-backs in Europe"")
He's a priority target.
That's when Friedkin could prove key. The Everton owners also have a majority stake in the Italian club, which would make a deal far more routine between the two sides this summer. They must simply take Lens out of the equation first.
Abdulhamid is certainly worth the chaos, having impressed wherever he's been in recent years. During his time at Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, former manager Jorge Jesus dubbed the right-back "extraordinary".
"Saud Abdulhamid is extraordinary. In the 90th minute he is still going at full speed. He can always improve, and I expect the best from him. Saudi players in general are open to developing tactically."
Now, if he finds himself back at Roma this summer, Everton could take full advantage to finally solve their right-back problems under Moyes.