MUST READ: Wilfried Ndidi And Four Other High-Class Agents Everton Could Sign In The Summer Transfer Window

Wilfred Ndidi, the Leicester City midfielder, has been linked with Everton

Due to their financial situation, Everton won’t have much wiggle room during the summer transfer window.

The last three seasons have not been easy for the Blues. Two were close calls, and even though they narrowly avoided relegation in the most recent one, Sean Dyche’s skillful leadership was needed to guide the team through two different point deductions and a continuing takeover controversy.

In the upcoming months, Everton manager Dyche hopes to bolster his team, but director of football Kevin Thelwell has already acknowledged that the team would be operating under “tight financial parameters” and that players may need to be moved. The future of the club once Farhad Moshiri leaves is still unknown, so a miracle turnaround of the economy is not anticipated very soon.

However, the Blues might bring in players on free transfers and make wise additions. Here are five free transfer alternatives that may be of interest to Dyche and Thelwell among the numerous players whose contracts expire at the end of June.

Ndidi Wilfried

Since Wilfried Ndidi’s contract with Leicester City is expiring, teams throughout Europe are already showing interest in signing him. Everton and Olympique Lyon are reportedly interested in the Nigerian, according to French media outlet Foot Mercato.

Ndidi played 32 Championship games and was a key member of Enzo Maresca’s squad that was just promoted to the Premier League.

Ndidi’s primary responsibility during the Foxes’ initial years at King Power Stadium was to act as a barrier in front of the back four, disrupt attacks before they could reach the Foxes’ defense.

However, the 27-year-old was allowed to move around and make precisely timed runs into the box to up his threat level in Maresca’s dynamic style. Ndidi thrived in his new position, contributing five assists and four goals to the Championship this year.

The former Genk player ranked in the top 1% of midfielders in Europe with an average of 4.57 touches in the rival penalty area. In the 2023–24 Championship, he created 2.46 shots, but in the 2022–23 Premier League, where he played as a defensive midfielder, he created 0.64.

Ndidi appears to be a good match for Everton, particularly in the event that Amadou Onana departs.

Ryan Sesegnon

The Englishman’s tenure in North London will come to an end this summer when Tottenham Hotspur decides not to renew Ryan Sessegnon’s contract, according to our sister site football.london.

When Sessegnon was signed by Spurs from Fulham, he was one of the top young players in England. But injuries have dogged him during his time at Tottenham, limiting his playing time to only 57 games over five years.

But the 24-year-old is incredibly versatile on the left side, and Ashley Young frequently has to fill in for Vitalii Mykolenko at left defense since Everton does not have enough left-back coverage. As Dwight McNeil’s backup, Sessegnon can also play on the wide left in a 4-4-1-1 or 4-4-2 formation.

Even though Sessegnon is available on a free transfer, his injury history raises some concerns.

Traore, Bertrand

Arnaut Danjuma and Jack Harrison have returned to their original clubs, leaving McNeil and the young Lewis Dobbin as Everton’s only viable choices. Harrison’s return to Goodison Park is still something the Blues are eager to see, but even in that case, Dyche will want further depth at wide receiver.

In light of this, Villarreal’s Bertrand Traore, a winger for Aston Villa and Chelsea who has played in the Premier League for 65 games and 11 goals overall, is scheduled to become a free agent in June.

The Burkina Faso international ranked in the top 3% of wingers in Europe’s top five leagues this season with an average of 4.51 progressive carries per ninety minutes. He also had 3.73 touches per ninety minutes in the opponent penalty area.

Traore is a quick player who enjoys taking on defenders. In the opposition’s final third, he averaged 2.34 carries per 90, whereas Harrison’s final third averaged 1.29 progressive carries.

The 28-year-old would increase the depth of the team and provide Dyche with a wide range of choices. Because of his speed and cunning, Traore may potentially have a significant impact on games coming off the bench by breaking down opponent defenses and going on the counterattack.

Lloyd Kelly Jarrad Among the top center backs in the Premier League is Branthwaite. Despite their desire to keep Branthwaite on staff, Everton could be persuaded to sell given the club’s financial situation with a substantial offer.

If Branthwaite does depart, AFC Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly, who is scheduled to become a free agent this summer, would be worth considering. Despite battling hip and calf injuries, the 25-year-old left-footed center back played a significant role for Bournemouth in the 2023–24 season, making 23 games in the Premier League.

Kelly has been at Bournemouth since 2019, leading the team as captain throughout the 2021–22 Championship season. Kelly can also fill in as a left-back, which the Blues may find appealing.

However, Everton would have to act quickly since Newcastle United was eager to sign Kelly.

Adarabioyo Tosin

And Tosin Adarabioyo, whose contract with Fulham is about to end, the same may very well be stated. If Branthwaite to go, the 26-year-old would be a great addition to the Blues team. Adarabioyo is a physically strong and adept ball-reader who dominates the air as a center back. This season, he won 3.12 aerial duels out of 90 games.

But it looks like Adarabioyo is going somewhere else, as reports suggest he has received proposals from Chelsea and Newcastle United.