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Everton seem to finally be set to unload their first significant outlay of the window, with his acquisition one which fans have been pining after for years now…

What has happened with Youssef Chermiti?

Despite the quality of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, his injury record is certainly a questionable one. Therefore, the fact that Chermiti has put pen to paper at Goodison Park is a welcome piece of news both for supporters and Sean Dyche, who has clearly attempted to find a figure who fits that same mould of a hulking number nine boasting a turn of pace.

Journalist Paul Brown sought to support these comparisons further, as he spoke to Football FanCast about what makes Youssef Chermiti so similar to the former Sheffield United ace: "I really think they've been looking for the next Calvert-Lewin, I think they've been going around Europe trying to find a young player with a similar kind of physical profile who can handle the rough stuff in the Premier League and might develop into the next Calvert-Lewin.

Read the latest Everton transfer news HERE…

"I don't see Chermiti as someone who's going to come in and immediately put pressure on him or force his way into the first team on a regular basis. He's clearly a project, he's someone who is very highly rated. He broke through in a big way last season in Portugal, but couldn't stay in the team.

"He's young, he's got a lot to learn. I think people will have to be patient with him. He's come into a new country, a new league and a new team, he may not hit the ground running. It may take him a little while to get used to things, but they clearly see something that is worth working on."

How good is Youssef Chermiti?

Whilst a wholly unproven asset, as Brown admits, last campaign saw him emerge for Sporting CP as a forward more than capable of holding his own at the top level.

After all, the 19-year-old did notch three goals and assist a further two across just nine starts in Liga Portugal, leading to praise from Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig: "18 years of age. Another superb prospect from Alcochete."

Whilst it might take a lot for his work in progress to emulate their England international number nine, at the very least their physical assets are aligned well enough to suggest he could occupy the role should he endure another lengthy injury absence in the coming season.

When fit, there are few traditional central strikers as effective as Calvert-Lewin, who stands at 6 foot 3 but also boasts blistering speed and a fine first touch. In his last fully fit campaign, the 26-year-old notched 16 goals in the league, assisting a further three.

Fortunately, Chermiti stands at 6 foot 4, and when compared against other forward across Europe, he sits in the top 5% for non-penalty expected goals per 90, the top 11% for assists per 90, and the top 3% for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90, via FBref.

The teenage sensation will occupy defenders and tends to always be in the right place to rack up chances. All the attributes are in place to see Brown proven right, and for the Portuguese ace to emulate Calvert-Lewin.

A report has revealed how West Ham United could still make a move for Man United midfielder Scott McTominay despite James Ward-Prowse's signing.

Who will West Ham sign?

The Hammers finally sealed their first major signing of the summer window earlier this week with a move for Mexico international midfielder Edson Alvarez, who was given the number 19 shirt.

His move from Ajax marked the true beginning of West Ham's transfer window as manager David Moyes, technical chief Tim Steidten and sporting director Mark Noble were made to wait.

This could've been down to the delay in Declan Rice's £105 million switch to Arsenal, and with Gianluca Scamacca departing as well, West Ham now have a sizeable transfer kitty.

Moyes, speaking to the press on Friday, admitted West Ham were closing in on deals for both Man United defender Harry Magure and Ward-Prowse.

"James Ward-Prowse is having a medical just now," said the Scotsman.

"We've agreed a fee but it's not right I speak about him as he's not yet our player.

"We've had a bid accepted from Manchester United [for Maguire], but while he's not our player I'm not in a position to discuss him really."

Read the latest West Ham transfer news HERE…

Meanwhile, West Ham's manager also admitted that midfield star Lucas Paqueta has been subject to a bid from English champions Man City, but it is nowhere near their valuation.

He said: "We've had an offer from Manchester City [for Paqueta] but at the moment it's not anywhere near meeting our valuation."

There are still a few weeks left of this transfer window and anything can happen, with reports suggesting Paqueta is very keen on a switch to Eastlands.

As a result, West Ham may need to sign a replacement in the event of his departure.

According to 6 foot 2.com, despite Ward-Prowse's signing, the Irons could still make a move for United ace McTominay – especially if Paqueta were to leave for Manchester.

However, the sticking point is his price tag, as Erik ten Hag's side apparently value him at around £45 million.

There is also a question as to whether McTominay would agree personal terms.

What's been said about Scott McTominay?

The Scotland international made 26 league appearances for United last term, with ten Hag deploying him fairly regularly in the Red Devils midfield.

McTominay has dazzled at international level for under manager Steve Clarke as well, perhaps most notably scoring a brace against Spain earlier this year.

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone, commenting on the 26-year-old's former partnership with Paul Pogba at United, called both players some of the best midfielders in the world.

"They [Manchester United] have an incredible midfield," explained Simeone.

"I am incredibly impressed with the work rate. Pogba and McTominay are two of the best midfielders in the world with a great balance."

Meanwhile, former Belgium manager Roberto Martinez showered McTominay with praise as an "all action" midfielder.

"He is all action," said Martinez on Amazon (via The Metro).

"He makes the front four better. It’s important when you have creative players that you have other players who are willing to work."

Arsenal's purchase of Declan Rice last month sent shockwaves throughout the Premier League.

This was a potential England captain in waiting joining arguably a sleeping giant in English football.

It has nearly been 20 years since the Gunners won the league, but Rice has joined with the beast showing signs of awakening from its slumber.

They fell five points short of Manchester City last term but with Rice and co now, excuse the pun, in their arsenal, they look well poised to challenge again.

What's the latest Arsenal transfer news?

Amid Jurrien Timber's devastating ACL injury, Edu and Mikel Arteta could look at bringing in another defender.

Amongst possible targets are Benjamin Pavard and Kyle Walker-Peters.

That said, another attacker could well arrive as Arsenal hunt a back-up to the effervescent Bukayo Saka.

Last summer, one of their priority targets was Wolves winger Pedro Neto, but after an injury-hit spell that interest appears to have vanished.

Now valued at just £10m, as per Football Transfers, it's a transfer that journalist Ben Jacobs spoke about recently to GIVEMESPORT: "I think Arsenal have looked at Neto previously, but I'm not aware that they've gone back to the table for him at this stage," he said.

What are Pedro Neto's strengths?

Neto has spent a great deal of time on the sidelines in recent years, notably last campaign when he missed 21 matches between October and February with an ankle injury.

Set-pieces

Finishing

Through balls

Aerial duels

Crossing

Physicality

Dribbling

That said, there is still a phenomenal talent inside the Portuguese and given Arteta's qualities as a coach, he could surely extract more.

Indeed, the 23-year-old showed as much during Wolves' opening league match of the season against Manchester United.

The young forward looked back to his best during their 1-0 defeat, notably playing four key passes, five crosses and completing four of his six dribble attempts.

In a nutshell, that encapsulates what Neto is best at. The "explosive" talent, as per AFTV's Robbie Lyle, is a creative force and one who on his day is incredibly difficult to stop.

Like Saka, he favours cutting inside onto his dangerous left foot to wreak havoc, and that's precisely what he did against United.

Having scored just 11 goals in 113 outings for the Old Gold, a lack of end product is perhaps a concern but at such a young age and ravaged by injury in the last few years, there is still plenty to come.

Such a move, of course, could well see the Gunners raid their fellow English sides again. They have done so three times already this summer, bringing in Kai Havertz from Chelsea, Rice from West Ham and David Raya from Brentford.

Declan Rice

West Ham

£105m

Kai Havertz

Chelsea

£65m

David Raya

Brentford

Initial loan

Gabriel Jesus

Man City

£45m

Oleksandr Zinchenko

Man City

£30m

Ben White

Brighton

£50m

Aaron Ramsdale

Sheffield United

£30m

The north Londoners have seemingly been keen to flood their squad with Premier League experience. It's obvious to see why; they have proven success in the division and won't take long to settle in.

Rice was never going to come cheap but paying as much as £105m speaks volumes. When they have a track record of playing immensely well in England's top flight, you will have to pay a premium.

At 24, he is just one year older than Neto and has already hit the ground running at the Emirates.

A lung-busting recovery run to dispossess Bernardo Silva in the Community Shield caught the eye before he came very close to opening his account for the club when he struck the post against Nottingham Forest.

Should a move for Neto be revived, it is hoped he would take little time to adjust either. Arsenal have long been searching for a player who will give them license to rest Saka, and in the flying Wolves star, they may well find their answer.

West Ham United are keen on signing another forward before the transfer window slams shut on Friday night, with a new update now emerging on the club's pursuit of a popular target.

What's the latest West Ham transfer news?

According to the Daily Mail, West Ham are competing with Brentford to secure the last-minute signing of Paris Saint-Germain forward Hugo Ekitike.

As per the report, Brentford have made enquiries about the young goal-scorer, however, the Hammers are keen to seal a deal for the player as they prepare to rival their Premier League peers by flexing their financial power to win the race for Ekitike in the coming hours.

What is Hugo Ekitike good at?

There is just over a day left for West Ham to complete their business before the transfer window closes tomorrow evening and despite their recent signing of Mohammed Kudus, there is no doubt that Ekitike would be a great acquisition for the east London club.

Read the latest West Ham transfer news HERE…

Danny Ings has found himself falling out of favour since joining the Hammers in January and is the lesser favoured striker option with David Moyes preferring Michail Antonio and Gianluca Scamacca in his starting line-up last season – with Ings tallying up only 15 Premier League starts and averaging just 46 minutes per appearance.

The 31-year-old has been the subject of interest for Everton this week, with the Toffees stepping forward to secure the services of Ings following their struggles to find consistency in front of goal, however, it remains to be seen whether the Irons forward will be willing to move on in the dying hours of the window.

If Ings doesn't make a last-minute exit, he could fall even further down the pecking order if West Ham can complete a deal for Ekitike, as the PSG youngster has the potential and talent to play a big part in the forward line at the London Stadium.

Despite struggling for game-time with the Ligue 1 champions last season, Ekitike has made a name for himself as one of the hottest young prospects in Europe after bursting on the scene with Stade de Reims before his huge move to PSG.

When comparing the 21-year-old with his positional peers across the top five European leagues over the last 12 months, Ekitike ranks in the top 5% for assists, pass completion and interceptions, as well as ranking in the top 25% for progressive carries, successful take-ons, tackles and blocks, as per FBref, outlining him as an all-round asset.

Indeed, as per WhoScored, the Frenchman's biggest strengths lie in dribbling, long shots and defensive contributions, whilst also prolific in layoffs and an indirect threat from set-pieces, traits that combined could be highly valuable to Moyes over the season ahead on both the domestic and European stage.

Ekitike – who has a reported €35m (£30m) price tag – has also earned high praise from renowned scout Jacek Kulig who claimed that the PSG youngster is a "clinical finisher" who is "fast and powerful" and possesses "superb flair, agility & coordination for a player of his size."

With that being said, if West Ham could complete the signing of Ekitike it would deliver Moyes an experienced yet youthful presence to deploy in his forward line and with regular game time in the Premier League, could become a huge threat for opponents.

Tottenham Hotspur may have enjoyed a progressive summer window, which helped Ange Postecoglou fast-track his impending revolution, but he still has the unenviable and near-impossible task of replacing Harry Kane looming over him.

The England captain remains the club's all-time record scorer, and had he opted to remain in north London rather than moving to Bayern Munich, it was highly likely that he would have shattered Alan Shearer's all-time scoring record in the Premier League too.

So, to see the Australian boss opt against signing a striker baffled many, with his faith in Richarlison seemingly unwavering.

After all, he spoke so highly of how the Brazilian could uphold his system above all else: "He works hard for the team and a lot of what he does, does not get seen. His pressing, his runs. Sometimes he does not get the ball but he is always making those runs and he is a constant nuisance for defenders. I have said before that I really like Richy.

"He is someone who has got all of the attributes that I look for in a striker, in that he has got the strong work ethic, he is always in the right areas and he is presenting himself and making a presence of himself in the right areas for the way we play. I have got a lot of time for him and he is one of the ones I am looking forward to working with."

However, the torrid start he has endured could put his continued presence in the side under threat, with their movement on Deadline Day to secure Brennan Johnson sure to push the former Everton ace further down the pecking order, should his poor form persist.

Why did Spurs sign Brennan Johnson?

As their sole signing on the final day of the transfer window, Johnson adds yet another attacking star to their varied and explosive front line which now boasts Heung-min Son, Manor Solomon, Dejan Kulusevski and more.

However, the outstanding attributes of the Wales international have been outlined by journalist Tim Spiers, who offers many reasons why Spurs spent £47.5m on the speedster: "His pace can absolutely terrify defenders, who even now still don’t quite seem sure how to deal with it.

"That works for him in a number of ways: getting behind the last defender; attacking a full-back down the wing to deliver low crosses; playing one-twos and leaving a defender for dead. It also helps with his poacher’s instincts — a few of his goals last season were from rebounds, where his acceleration allowed him to get to the ball first.

"There’s also pressing: he generally hasn’t been asked to do a huge amount of high pressing at Forest, but his speed and tenacity suggests that he could quite easily do that if required."

Not only this, but his versatility could prove an issue for Brazil's number nine, given the 22-year-old has often featured through the centre as well as his favoured right-wing spot.

With Son's recent hat trick as a striker too, already it seems like Richarlison is set to see his opportunities dwindle should he fail to recapture his form.

Johnson's eight goals and three assists in his debut term in the Premier League further emphasise his goalscoring prowess, with his 15% conversion rate from last season a fine figure compared to the 4% of the man he could be usurping; Richarlison.

Not only this, but the former Forest star also has the work rate that Postecoglou lauded the Brazilian for, as when compared to other forwards across Europe the former Forest star ranks in the top 9% for progressive carries per 90, but also the top 11% for tackles per 90, via FBref.

It seems that, if Richarlison is to stamp his claim on that vacant centre-forward spot, he needs to pull something out of the bag soon given the quality of the competition that has just joined.

What has Richarlison done at Spurs?

Big things were expected of the 26-year-old when he traded the Toffees for Spurs, with his £60m price tag likely not aiding in the immense pressure already heaped upon his shoulders.

Especially when such a fee made him just the second most expensive player in the history of the club, with his performances before joining having shown little to suggest the star quality needed to live up to such billing.

Having become a key figure at Goodison Park for his battling and relentless displays as they fought to avoid the drop, his ten goals and five assists were imperative throughout their relegation-threatened 2021/22 season, and he left a hero.

It seemed that at last, the once-clinical goalscorer was on track to realising the potential that Carlo Ancelotti had set out for him: "I said to him, you want to fight for the Ballon d'Or, you are a fantastic physical player with a lot of talent, but don't lose this. I think that Richarlison is great in my opinion because he is a modern striker, because he can play right, left in the middle without problems. He is clinical in the box."

However, Antonio Conte failed to usher that kind of quality out of the £90k-per-week ace, and the toothless striker finished the season with just one league goal, drawing scorn from talkSPORT pundit Tony Cascarino:

"If you said to me the worst player this season, right, the worst player for what he’s got – Richarlison. He’s been a joke this year, Richarlison. I don’t care if he’s been injured or gone away to a World Cup. Yesterday [in Spurs’ 2-1 loss to Aston Villa], he hardly tried a leg. He looked really disinterested."

What makes things worse is that, despite starting four of their opening five games, he has once again failed to score or assist to start this new season either

It seems that positive reinforcement works best with the versatile star, who will likely be feeling mightily threatened given the wealth of attacking talent that now surrounds him, exacerbated by Johnson's arrival too.

Having left Merseyside to follow his ambitious goals of playing at the elite level, perhaps first the 6-foot finisher could seek to regain the form worthy of appearances at the top or else find himself stuck to the bench like he was last weekend.

Everton's transfer business in recent years has arguably been some of the worst in the Premier League, with the Toffees spending a reported €118m (£102m) in the last two seasons, only to battle relegation in both.

As talks with 777 Partners to complete a takeover of the club reportedly reach an advanced stage, too, those at Goodison Park must ensure that their recruitment improves in future windows. One thing that the new owners will want to avoid is suffering transfer losses on players who arrive full of potential, before going onto become a flop to forget, and leaving for a small fee.

What's the latest Everton transfer news?

When it comes to departures throughout the summer transfer window, Alex Iwobi's exit was the biggest that Everton suffered, coming late on. The midfielder completed a move to Fulham on deadline day, leaving Sean Dyche's side short in midfield.

Even with most of the transfer windows shut, the exits are still coming, however, with another midfielder edging closer to an exit to the Turkish Super Lig, ending a mixed spell at Goodison Park in the process.

According to TeamTalk, Fenerbace are in advanced talks to sign forgotten man Andre Gomes for as little as £5m, after initially making the move to Everton for a reported £22m in the summer of 2019. If the move takes place, Everton will be looking at a loss of around 77% in what is damning evidence of just how poor they've been in the transfer market in recent years.

With the transfer window slamming shut in the Turkish Super Lig on Friday, Fenerbahce will need to act quickly if they want to complete a move, that's for sure, but it's certainly a deal that would suit all parties.

Should Everton sell Andre Gomes?

As much as Everton would be taking a loss on Gomes by selling him to Fenerbahce before the deadline, the Spaniard has become a forgotten man at Goodison Park after spending last season on loan at Lille in Ligue 1, so it is the right decision.

It briefly looked as though he could get a chance under Dyche when he was included in the squad to face Fulham on the opening day – three absences since then suggest that all parties are ready to cut ties, however.

Those in Merseyside will at least make room on their wage bill with Gomes' exit, given that he currently earned a reported £112k per week at Goodison Park.

In another world, it could be argued that Gomes could have earned a second chance in the Premier League, and grabbed it with both hands, but that doesn't look likely to happen.

According to FBref, for Lille last season, the midfielder made 8.84 progressive passes per 90, and managed five goal involvements. So, there is still a capable player in there. It just doesn't look as though Gomes will get the chance to show that again at Everton.

West Bromwich Albion failed to find a regular source of goals throughout the 2022/23 Championship season as their top scorer ended up with seven strikes.

Brandon Thomas-Asante and Daryl Dike both found the back of the net seven times and Carlos Corberan will be hoping that one of them, or new signing Josh Maja, is able to score with greater regularity this term.

Who are West Brom's most expensive signings?

The Baggies have spent a lot of money over the years in an attempt to find a consistent goalscorer and that is evidenced by four of their five most expensive signings in their history being centre-forwards.

Player

Fee paid

Salomon Rondon

£14.6m

Karlan Grant

£14.1m

Nacer Chadli

£13m

Oliver Burke

£13m

Jay Rodriguez

£11.7m

Fees via Transfermarkt.

West Brom have been willing to shell out significant transfer fees in search of a prolific number nine and one of their failures in that respect was Brown Ideye, who arrived at the club in the summer of 2010.

How much did West Brom pay for Ideye?

Alan Irvine, who was the team's manager at the time, swooped to sign the centre-forward from Dynamo Kyiv for a reported fee of £10m in 2014, which made him the most expensive player in the club's history at that point.

The likes of Rodriguez, Grant, and Rondon have since been bought for more than Ideye but there is little doubt that the Baggies had a shocker with that signing as he ended a rough time in England.

Irvine had described the former Dynamo star as a "powerful" and quality marksman and seemingly believed that the £10m addition would be the go-to man for goals at the top end of the pitch.

He arrived at The Hawthorns off the back of an excellent spell in Kyiv as the Nigeria international plundered 42 goals and 11 assists in 103 matches in all competitions. This included 34 goals in 78 Premier League outings as he showcased his ability to find the back of the net on a regular basis.

Ideye had also enjoyed a strong stint with Sochaux in France prior to his move to Ukraine. The £10m-rated forward had scored 15 goals in 35 Ligue 1 appearances during the 2010/11 campaign, which promoted his transfer to Dynamo.

He started his career, however, with Neuchatel Xamax FCS in Switzerland. The attacker scored 30 goals and provided 16 assists in 61 clashes for the club in all competitions after making the breakthrough from academy football.

These statistics show that West Brom were signing a player who had scored goals for several different clubs in multiple countries, including 15 goals in a major European league in France.

Therefore, it is not difficult to understand why they were confident enough to splash out a club-record fee to secure his signature as they believed that he would do the same in England.

How many goals did Ideye score for West Brom?

However, that was not the case as the Nigerian finisher struggled throughout his time in English football and left the Baggies after scoring seven goals in 31 appearances in all competitions.

Ideye endured a rough debut season in the Premier League as he only scored four goals in 24 matches after his big-money move from Dynamo, which was considerably worse than the 15 he managed in France for Sochaux.

He averaged a dismal WhoScored rating of 6.36 in that time and that was the 22nd-highest score within the squad, out of 26 players – with three of the four players below him failing to start more than one game – and this highlights how disappointing his performances were.

Ideye also ranked fifth and second within the team for how many times he was dispossessed and gave the ball away through poor control respectively per game.

These statistics show that the former Sochaux star struggled to deal with the quality on display at the top level of English football as opposition players found it far too easy to take the ball off him and he did not make up for it with enough goals at the top end of the pitch.

The Nigerian forward later revealed that he felt "overwhelmed" by the expectation that came with being the club's record signing and lambasted the lack of patience people had with him as he attempted to adapt to life in England and the Premier League.

His struggles may also have played a part in Irvine's eventual sacking in December of 2019 as the Scottish tactician's huge summer signing failed to make the desired impact on the pitch.

Tony Pulis came in to replace him in January but was also unable to get Ideye firing to the best of his abilities and that led to the striker's exit in the summer of 2015 as the Welsh boss opted to allow him to leave instead of attempting to give him another season to find his feet.

How much did West Brom sell Ideye for?

The Baggies reportedly cashed in on him for a fee of €6m (£5m) at the end of the 2014/15 campaign as Greek giants Olympiacos came in with an offer to take him away from The Hawthorns after just one year.

This means that the West Brom flop's market value plummeted by a whopping £5m in just 12 months as his poor Premier League form resulted in his price halving from the £10m that the club initially paid Dynamo in 2014.

Therefore, Irvine had a howler with the signing of the Nigeria international, who scored six goals in 27 caps for his country, as the move did not have the desired effect on the pitch, as evidenced by his aforementioned statistics, and it came at a significant financial loss for the club.

Ideye went on to score 28 goals and assisted ten in 65 appearances for Olympiacos, which included 23 goals in 43 Super League outings, as he rediscovered his form in front of goal.

The 34-year-old marksman was most recently with Al-Yarmouk SC in Kuwait and endured a difficult spell in Turkey with Goztepe prior to that move. He scored three times in 36 matches for the Turkish side and two of those came in his 35 league games between the 2020/21 and 2021/22 campaigns.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have had a testing time of late, having juggled financial, managerial and on-pitch woes while maintaining their status in the Premier League.

The Old Gold have put in some impressive performances so far under Gary O’Neil, who joined the side just four days before their campaign opener against Manchester United, however have not been able to determine which way the results have gone.

Only three points have been recorded from Wolves’ opening five fixtures, with a late 1-0 win at Everton the high point of the first few weeks which have seen the side miss out on points despite causing threat.

Much-needed sales were sanctioned in the summer to balance the books to adhere to Financial Fair Play (FFP) restrictions, leaving the club’s margin to replace such talents very small.

As a result, O’Neil’s squad options have been minimised, leaving room for talents outside the first team to hope to show their worth while the squad is in transition.

One star who could find a way into the senior side in the future is winger Fabian Reynolds, who joined Wolves’ academy in 2021 from AFC Kingston Youth.

Who is Fabian Reynolds?

Deployed primarily on the right wing, the 17-year-old has advanced tremendously well in the Midlands so far, seeing him excel through the ranks and earn minutes at U21 level as well as for the U18s.

Last season in the U18 Premier League, the forward had a hand in four goals, scoring two and assisting two in 21 appearances in the 2022/23 campaign for the Old Gold.

At the point of his signing for the Premier League side, his former club dubbed the forward as “formidable”, saying on their official site that he was “destined for greatness” after his performances prior to leaving.

At U13s level, the 2006-born whiz scored a remarkable 39 goals in the SYL Premier Division, demonstrating form that hinted just how much of a star he could one day become in the game.

What does Fabian Reynolds play like?

The winger has got his 2023/24 campaign off to a strong start, scoring a terrific solo goal most recently against Derby during the U18s thrilling 3-2 win.

If the tricky youngster can continue his rise through the ranks and have another impressive season for Wolves, there could be a gap in the squad for the youngster to thrive in senior surroundings, with him showing signs of having a skill set similar to a recently departed favourite.

Adama Traore bid farewell to Molineux this summer after a five-year association with the club, leaving behind a gap in the wide threat department in his absence.

In his last campaign, the Spaniard ranked in the top 5% of wingers in the Premier League for his one-on-one threat, averaging 2.95 successful take-ons per 90 to assert his dominance going forward, as per FBref.

As highlighted in the goal he scored against Derby just last week, Reynolds has strengths to his game similar to those of the dazzling dribbler that is Traore, giving O’Neil the potential to have the heir to the dangerous winger within the club’s ranks already.

Wolves' financial situations could see the club opt to promote more youth prospects as an alternative to being active in the transfer window, making this season one for O’Neil to harvest some unearthed gems in the academy.

Everton have now identified a potential successor to manager Sean Dyche, but another Premier League club are also keen, according to a report.

Is Sean Dyche leaving Everton?

Fresh off the back of Everton's first win of the Premier League season against Brentford at the weekend, it seems a little unusual they are being linked to replacements for Dyche, but Wayne Rooney has also recently been named as a potential long-term option.

In an interview with GiveMeSport, journalist Paul Brown said: I'm sure Rooney would love to take on a job like that at some point. He's had an interesting history with the club, veering from being the hero to villain in the eyes of many there. Last time, when he left, I don’t think he left under particularly happy circumstances. He's trying to make a name for himself now as a manager, and it's entirely possible one day that he might end up being at Everton. But I think we're a long way from that right now.”

Although the Toffees' form now appears to be on the up, after an impressive 3-1 victory at the Gtech Community Stadium, there have now been reports they have a contingency plan in place, should they decide to part ways with their manager.

According to a report from TEAMtalk, AZ Alkmaar boss Pascal Jansen has now been earmarked as a potential replacement for Dyche, having caught the eye since taking charge of the Dutch side in 2020, reaching the Europa Conference League semi-final last season.

The 50-year-old is attracting the attention of a number of clubs, including Crystal Palace and Rangers, with his Alkmaar side currently level with PSV Eindhoven at the top of the Eredivisie table, having won their opening five games.

At the moment, Everton are not considering Dyche's position at the helm, but like any well-run club, they have succession plans in place, and Jansen would be right at the top of their wanted list if they were to part company with their current manager.

Where is Pascal Jansen from?

The AZ Alkmaar manager was born in London and spent parts of his youth in Aylesbury, but he mainly grew up in the Netherlands, and he has since worked his way up to become manager of one of the country's top clubs.

The Dutchman's current job is his first role as manager of a professional side, and he has averaged 1.97 points-per game since being appointed in December 2020, leading Alkmaar to a fourth-place finish last season.

In an interview, the England-born coach made it clear he is "inspired by" Dutch legend Johan Cruyff, meaning he likes to play an attacking brand of football, which could be a refreshing sight at Goodison Park.

During his time with Burnley, Dyche was criticised for playing "anti-football" by David Luiz, and Everton have implemented a direct approach this season, playing 342 long balls, the third-highest amount in the Premier League.

It would be extremely harsh to sack Dyche anytime soon, considering he led the Toffees to safety last season, but they should definitely keep Jansen in mind as a potential long-term replacement.

To their credit, Wolverhampton Wanderers have steadied the ship after a rocky summer saw them lose Ruben Neves, Raul Jimenez, and Julen Lopetegui. The arrival of Gary O'Neil may not have been eye-catching, but the former Bournemouth boss has got off to a solid start, culminating in a shock win over reigning Premier League champions Manchester City in their most recent outing.

The Midlands club may well have a keen eye on January reinforcements, too, but will be well aware of the fact that the transfer window can spark danger when it comes to keeping hold of their best players. And, after losing Ruben Neves in the summer, they could be desperate to keep hold of their best assets come the winter window. That may not be an easy task, however, with reports suggesting that one star player is interested in a exit.

What's the latest Wolves transfer news?

During the summer transfer window, Wolves weren't exactly the most active club when it came to incomings. In total, the Midlands club spent a reported €94m (£82m), welcoming the likes of Santiago Bueno and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde in the hope of securing their survival in the Premier League. It was their outgoings that stole the headlines, though, with Neves, Joao Moutinho, and Matheus Nunes, among others, all sealing their exits away from the club.

Following Nunes' exit, in particular, it was easy to worry about Wolves' survival chances, but wins over Manchester City and Luton Town have since eased those fears, and put them on course for mid-table comfort. One more exit could yet do the damage, and reports suggest that those at Molinuex could suffer heartbreak once more.

According to reporter Pete O'Rourke of Football Insider, Pedro Neto is "interested" in quitting Wolves to join a club pushing for major honours, amid links of a move to Arsenal. However, Neto may well be forced to wait until the summer of 2024, when Wolves could sanction a sale to help avoid any Financial Fair Play problems.

How has Pedro Neto performed this season?

After a difficult time with injuries in the last couple of years, Neto has finally bounced back, and looks back to his best at Wolves, epitomised by his role in their wins over Manchester City and Luton Town. The stats certainly suggest that he has been a step above last season, too. According to FBref, the winger has improved in a number of areas.

Season

Progressive Passes Per 90

Progressive Carries Per 90

Goals

Assists

Pedro Neto 2023/24

3

5.71

1

4

Pedro Neto 2022/23

2.4

3.46

0

0

It has been a superb start to the season for Neto, and he has earned deserved praise from O'Neil as a result. The Wolves manager said, via Birmingham Mail: “I have always liked him. His attitude and approach since I have been here has been top notch. I can’t speak highly enough of him at the minute, I think he has been incredible. He has played off both sides. I thought he would get some joy down this side today, that was the reason for the switch. He did get some joy but the big story is we leave with nothing which is disappointing.”