EVERTON MOVE IS ‘PERFECT’ FOR £42M MAN AS PUNDIT URGES STAR TO SIGN FOR DYCHE

Sometimes, a transfer rumour emerges that makes you think; ‘Ok, yeah, this might just work out perfectly all involved’. The prospect of a £42 million man joining Everton this summer feels like one of those.

And when we say the ‘perfect’ transfer, we mean that both from a financial and a sporting perspective. We say that from both the perspective of his current club, and his future one.

Everton will once again be forced to keep the pursestrings tight this summer, those Financial Fair Play wolves knocking at the door of Goodison Park. Director Kevin Thelwell, with that in mind, told Toffees fans recently that they should expect a summer spent delving into the loan market in search of short-term deals.

Short-term deals, for instance, like the one that could bring Kalvin Phillips to Everton.

Everton eye Manchester City misfit Kalvin Phillips

The Merseysiders are keen, per BBC Sport. And one suspects this is an opportunity Phillips needs more than Everton do.

After a disastrous 2023/24 campaign – out of favour at Manchester City and then a contender for the worst loan deal in modern history at West Ham – Phillips is a man crying out for a fresh start in a settled system under a manager willing to give him trust and patience.

And Danny Murphy, the former England international, cannot think if a coach better suited to getting Phillips career back on track than Everton boss Sean Dyche.

“I don’t know about (this being Phillips’) ‘last chance’. But, what I would say is, pick somebody who could get the best out of you,” Murphy, an FA Cup winner with Liverpool in 2001, tells talkSPORT (29 May, 11am). “Sean Dyche is someone I would say (is the ideal manager).

“(The move) makes perfect sense in a financial view. Phillips is a good footballer. Intelligent, got a bit about him.

“The confidence has drained from him. The best way – the only way – to get your confidence back is by playing. But, to play, you have to be fit.

“You need a manager who believes in you.”

Fresh start needed after West Ham nightmare

While Phillips must take his share of the blame – his West Ham spell littered with individual errors and a very unhelpful red card – there was never really a feeling that the former Leeds playmaker had David Moyes’ full backing.

“At West Ham, a bad game, back out (of the team),” adds Murphy, formerly of Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham and Blackburn Rovers.

“Dyche has got credit in the bank at Everton. Yes, they are going to have to sell a few but, ultimately, I think it would work perfectly.

“I think it would be a really good move for him.”

Phillips, one of the first names on Gareth Southgate’s England team sheet not so long ago, could also have a place tailor-made for him at the heart of Everton’s engine room.

Idrissa Gana Gueye, despite an excellent end to last season, is 34 these days and cannot be relied upon forever. The much-admired Amadou Onana, meanwhile, is expected to be the subject of big bids after catching the eye of Manchester United and co.

HITC understands that Man City are open to offers for Phillips as well as fellow midfielder Matheus Nunes. There is Saudi Arabian interest in the former Wolves ace, who joined City in a £53 million deal last summer but started only seven Premier League games under Pep Guardiola.