Here are the Everton morning headlines for Monday, August 17.
Jonjoe Kenny makes return
Loan man Jonjoe Kenny was part of the Everton squad that took part in pre-season training over the weekend.
The 23-year-old impressed on loan at Schalke last season, prompting David Wagner, manager of the Bundesliga club, to admit he would like to keep the full back permanently if finances allowed.
Much of the Everton squad was back at Finch Farm for the start of pre-season training, with players undergoing a series of fitness tests and gym work before some ball work later on in the day.
Richarlison, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Bernard and Tom Davies were all missing for the Toffees, but Kenny was among the contingent who trained.
Everton ready to end pursuit
Everton are ready to shift their focus in the transfer market, with signs that interest in Lille centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes has come to an end.
The Toffees had made progress on a £30m deal to bring Gabriel to Goodison Park before the coronavirus pandemic, but are now unwilling to meet Lille’s asking price in the current economic climate.
Arsenal and Napoli are also interested in Magalhaes, with both believed to be willing to pay more than €25m, but Everton are now ready to switch targets.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti and the Everton hierarchy believe adding a new midfielder should be a greater priority this summer.
*Find out which local restaurants are taking part in the Eat Out to Help Out scheme:
Toffees still confident
The coronavirus pandemic has complicated the transfer plans of many clubs, but Everton are confident they can deliver a key part of their summer strategy.
Carlo Ancelotti believes he will be able to get the new signings he needs ahead of the 2020/21 season, but the Toffees also plan to offload a number of unwanted players.
There is a need to free up room in the wage bill before new players can be added to Ancelotti’s squad, but Everton are confident they will be able to lure players from the top six in the Premier League and elite clubs around Europe.
They have recently offered fringe players at these clubs the chance to rebuild their careers at Goodison Park, and this could form a key part of the Toffees’ strategy again this summer.
*Take our EFC summer transfer survey HERE.
