Everton plan to hold ‘further talks’ over signing £90k-a-week EFL star who Gary Lineker loves

Everton’s summer is expected to be an unspectacular one, but that will not stop fans from dreaming of a few key acquisitions.

After all, last year they were expected to be truly hamstrung, yet they still welcomed in the likes of Beto, Youssef Chermiti and Jack Harrison among others.

However, with Kevin Thelwell coming out and openly admitting that players will have to be sold, it seems that Premier League survival has not been enough to provide them with the necessary funds to escape their PSR nightmare.

Regardless of that, there are still some reports suggesting that transfer activity could be afoot.

Everton plotting transfer talks

The latest comes courtesy of Leeds Live, with the source itself likely enough to allow most Evertonians to guess who the player in question might be.

After all, in that aforementioned statement that Thelwell made, he also revealed that they were still embroiled in discussions over the future of Harrison, who spent last season on loan at Goodison Park. Still contracted to Championship club Leeds United, who will find out whether they will make an instant return to the top flight next weekend in the play-off final, promotion could play a big role in how likely the Toffees are to strike a deal for the winger.

Regardless, that aforementioned report states: ‘Everton plan to hold further talks with Leeds United over the future of Jack Harrison following the conclusion of the Championship season. Harrison has spent the 2023/24 campaign on loan at the Premier League club.’

This would be a deal that Gary Lineker would likely enjoy, given he has been vocal in his admiration for Harrison over the years. The 63-year-old Match of the Day presenter has retained a soft spot for Everton ever since his one-year stint there back in the 1980s.

Jack Harrison would mark smart business for Kevin Thelwell

Few would argue that Harrison set the world alight during his loan spell this season with Everton, but what he did offer was a consistent, solid presence on the flank.

And he clearly commanded the affections of Sean Dyche too, who almost always started the 27-year-old whenever he was fit.

Despite faltering form, he was almost guaranteed his spot, with his unrelenting work ethic enough to keep him in the squad.

A return of three goals and three assists in the Premier League was far from groundbreaking, but with Thelwell being forced to scamper about in the market, bringing in someone who already knows the system and what is expected of him could be a shrewd piece of business, especially on another cut-price loan deal.

There would be little integration, and what precious funds they do have could be allocated elsewhere.

It cannot be denied how effective the £90k-a-week winger was at times though, with his ball progression key in helping get Everton up the pitch. In fact, when compared to other midfielders in Europe, he ranks in the top 6% for progressive carries and progressive passes received per 90, via FBref.

Hopefully, under far less pressure than they were last season, we could see a much more creative and potent threat from Harrison should a deal be struck to extend his loan for one more year.