Everton are reportedly lining up a first signing of the summer with Sean Dyche closing in on the addition of a high-class centre forward – with the deal seemingly hinging on one factor being met.
The Toffees have raised their game since Dyche’s appointment as boss. And Saturday evening’s point in the 2-2 draw at improving Chelsea illustrated the progress they have made under the gravel-toned tactitian.
Indeed, while they are 15th in the table, they still remain just two points clear of the drop zone. Nonetheless, they have taken 11 points in eight games since the 51-year-old was appointed boss on January 30.
And hopes will grow they can retain their Premier League status – Dyche’s first objective – under him, with his 1.375 points per game tally certainly giving them hope.
As it stands, maintaining that will see Everton finish on 39 points – and surely enough for survival.
One of the issues that Dyche inherited at Everton was a chronic lack of goals.
And while they failed to address that in the January window by signing any reinforcements, Everton have also improved on that front too.
However, Dyche knows new options will need to arrive on that front this summer. And according to The Sun, a fix now appears to have been put in place.
Everton line up move for Michail Antonio
And the man they are seemingly close to landing is West Ham striker Michail Antonio.
The striker is the Hammers’ all-time leading goalscorer in the Premier League with 59 goals. However, he appears to be out of favour this season, with the club willing to move him on.
His deal at the London Stadium is due to expire in summer 2024. And while West Ham have the option to extend his contract by a year, they are willing to listen to offers for the 32-year-old.
Indeed, having been with the club since summer 2015, Antonio is also reportedly looking for one final career challenge.
And now it seems a move to Goodison is on the cards – providing Everton retain their Premier League status.
He is one of two new names they are considering, with Coventry’s Viktor Gyokeres another option. However, Antonio is likely to cost less than the Swede and is seen as a more proven option at this level.
Indeed, while being in and out the Hammers side, he has still managed nine goals in 33 appearances in all competitions.
Antonio deal smart for Everton
His signing would certainly make a lot of sense for Everton and would give them more of a presence up front. Sadly summer signing Neal Maupay has not worked out in that regard, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin remains prone to a series of injuries.
Antonio, touch-wood, is not a player who tends to suffer in that way too often. And his all-time tally of 70 goals in 261 games for West Ham illustrates a player who notches every 3.7 appearances.
The Jamaica international was reportedly close to leaving West Ham back in January. David Moyes ultimately decided to stick with him, at the time saying: “Antonio said [he could leave] but we here have got no intention of doing anything.
“Sometimes players choose to do that, some of them want to go. But at the moment we want [him] here, we want him playing well, we want him scoring goals, and we’re happy to have him.”
However, after those comments, West Ham went out and signed Danny Ings, while they also have Gianluca Scamaca as an option.
Per the reports, Antonio is willing to make the move to Everton as a result.
The sale of Antonio will give the Hammers a chance to bring in another option this summer too.
