Everton are pushing to finally sign a right-back in the next seven to 10 days as an intriguing summer recruitment drive builds to a crescendo.
On the one hand the Toffees have done smart work in the close season, striking an early and exciting deal for Hayden Hackney, who insiders believe has the potential to be part of the England conversation if he plots the trajectory they expect him to.
Christian Norgaard is a good replacement for Idrissa Gueye and at a decent price and wage level that allows the club to retain significant spending power under the Premier League’s squad cost ratio (SCR) rules.
It also feels like Everton have got the better end of the straight swap deal with Crystal Palace which will see Brennan Johnson and Dwight McNeil – who both underwent medicals at their new clubs on Monday – trade places.
But sources admit there remain gaps in the squad they hope will challenge for European football next season, and that means a busy end to a transfer window that could go “down to the wire”.
