Everton may be enjoying a summer splurge so far, having already welcomed three faces to Goodison Park, but there remains a looming threat as to who could leave.
After all, with Jarrad Branthwaite still a prized asset, Amadou Onana only raising his stock after Euro 2024 and Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s Everton contract still undecided, Sean Dyche and Kevin Thelwell have plenty of spinning plates to balance.
Fortunately, this squad has been constructed in such a way that any departure is likely to be quickly replaced, which is the new philosophy on display on Merseyside.
Nothing illustrates this better than the last of the outgoing trio, who has already lined up his alternative.
Everton are in talks to sign David Datra Fofana from Chelsea
The latest report comes courtesy of AfricaFoot and seeks to detail Everton’s interest in signing Chelsea striker David Datra Fofana.
Having had a good loan spell at Burnley last season, his Premier League CV has been somewhat sketchy and now he is ready to take the next step to secure a permanent place in the first team.
The report reads: ‘David Datro Fofana could change clubs again in England. Two English Premier League clubs are said to be interested in the striker from the Ivory Coast. West Ham and Everton are both looking to sign the player to their squad.
“In January 2023, David Datro Fofana left Molde FK to join Chelsea. The following summer, he was sent on loan to Union Berlin in Germany. David Datro Fofana returned to Chelsea in January 2024, hoping to establish himself as an important player in Mauricio Pochettino’s side but was sent back on loan, this time to Burnley for the second half of the 2023/24 season.
“David Datro Fofana has returned to Chelsea this summer but his future with the Blues is uncertain. Two English Premier League clubs are keen to sign the 21-year-old Ivorian striker. West Ham would bid €15m (£12m) for Chelsea to sign the player.As for Everton, they are in contact with Ivorian agents to sign the contract.
How good is David Datro Fofana?
Although Fofan’s young career has been colorful, filled with many downfalls instead of outstanding victories, he is still a top player in the young man.
After all, the striker joined as part of that great Chelsea revolution and his £8million purchase was considered one of the rare bargains of the era.
He scored an impressive 15 goals in Norway’s top flight, adding five more assists as a teenager.
At 5-foot-11, but boasting lightning speed, there’s a great physical frame to work with that blends well with his link-up game and finishing ability.
But difficult spells with Union Berlin and recently relegated Burnley have seen him somewhat forgotten.
Not to mention Fofana once described himself as “lazy” when per The Athletic after a fine run of goals at Turf Moor saw him score four out of seven: “I’m lazy too… sometimes, not all the time.
“Off the court (I’m) lazy, but on the court I’m someone who works hard and (has) good vibes with the team as well. I’m not shy.”
If he were to unite with Dyche, all laziness should be eradicated.