Everton are now believed to be prioritising a Coventry City star as the 'solution' to one key weakness in David Moyes' squad, according to a report.
Everton's rumoured summer transfer plans taking shape
The summer planning at Everton is well underway, and the broad shape of what Moyes wants to do is becoming clearer by the week.
Talks are scheduled over retaining Jack Grealish on a renegotiated basis, while Tyrique George has the remainder of the season to make a case for his £25m purchase option being triggered.
Man-City-Jack-Grealish-Everton
The Toffees' European push is the driving force behind what promises to be a genuinely significant transfer window.
Everton sit eighth, level on points with Brentford but below them on goal difference, and three points behind Liverpool in fifth with six Premier League games left.
Everton's remaining Premier League games in race for Europe Date
Liverpool (home) April 19
West Ham (away) April 25
Man City (home) May 4
Crystal Palace (away) May 9
Sunderland (home) May 17
Tottenham (away) May 24
Whether they qualify for the Conference League, which becomes likely if Man City or Chelsea win the FA Cup while finishing in the top seven, could determine the scale of investment they are able to make.
Moyes will want to strengthen regardless, but the commercial value of European football would give the Friedkin Group considerably more room to manoeuvre.
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Strengthening at right-back apparently sits at the top of the priority list, and the latest report from Sports Boom today provides clarity on where Everton's focus is.
Everton shortlist Coventry City star Millan van Ewijk as top summer target
The outlet reveals that the club have earmarked Millan van Ewijk as the solution to that positional problem, with the Coventry City wing-back at the head of their recruitment targets for that area this summer.
Coventry City defender Milan van Ewijk
Van Ewijk, 25, has had the standout season of his career so far.
The Dutchman, who joined Coventry from Heerenveen for around £3.4m in the summer of 2023, has been one of the defining contributors in the Sky Blues' Championship title push this term, delivering 10 assists in 40 appearances and earning consistent praise for his energy, crossing ability and attacking intent down the right flank.
He signed a new contract with the club in February, which Coventry will hope provides some protection, and they have made clear that he is not for sale.
Everton are apparently 'determined' to sign van Ewijk, with Moyes' side viewing him as the 'solution' to their right-back conundrum.
The complication for Everton is that Coventry are heading to the Premier League regardless of the outcome.
Frank Lampard's side are overwhelming favourites to be crowned Championship champions, which means van Ewijk is going to be playing in the top flight next season whether he stays at the CBS Arena or moves on.
Frank-Lampard
Coventry have placed a £25m valuation on him, and Everton will face competition from Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Brighton if they do attempt to bring him to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Seamus Coleman is approaching the end of his career at 38, Nathan Patterson has been linked with an exit, and Jake O'Brien — pressed into service at right-back this season — is a centre-back by trade rather than a natural fit for the role.
Whether Coventry's resistance proves breakable, and whether Everton can outbid the other clubs monitoring the situation, will determine if this particular piece of business gets done.
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