Everton

Everton

Premier League • England

Everton transfers: Sean Dyche risks wrath of fans as he sets sights on star surplus to requirements at Man Utd

Harry Maguire and Wout Weghorst of Man Utd

A report claims Everton are keen to sign Wout Weghorst after his loan spell at Manchester United ended following the FA Cup final defeat.

Weghorst, 30, was a shock addition to the Red Devils ranks when Erik ten Hag took him on loan from Championship club Burnley. The Netherlands international spent the first half of the season on loan at Turkish club Besiktas. However, that loan deal was cancelled after the former Wolfsburg man had scored nine goals from 18 appearances in all competitions.

He signed for United on January 13 and, to the surprise of many, was a busy man at Old Trafford. Weghorst was handed ten starts among 17 Premier League outings.

He played three times in the EFL Cup and five times in the FA Cup, including a 12-minute spell towards the end of the final.

The rangy hitman could not help his colleagues find an equaliser as Manchester City ran out 2-1 winners at Wembley.

He ended his United spell with just two goals to his name and none in the league.

The north-west giants are unlikely to sign him on a permanent basis, despite Ten Hag’s comments, with the former AZ star heading back to Turf Moor.

It is unclear whether Clarets boss Vincent Kompany sees the striker in his plans after their return to the top flight.

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And it may be that Toffees boss Sean Dyche is ready to hand him an exit route from the club.

According to talkSPORT, the former Burnley chief is keen to add Weghorst to his ranks despite his struggles in front of goal.

Weghorst unlikely to get Everton pulses racing

Everton struggled in 2022-2023, with their top-flight place not secured until the final match of the season.

The Merseysiders ended up one spot above the relegation zone, having won just eight league games throughout the campaign.

They struggled for goals, with a paltry 34 bagged from 38 games. Therefore, it seems strange that the Goodison Park outfit would target a striker not known to be prolific in front of goal.

During Burnley’s relegation season of 2021-22, he found the net on just two occasions from 20 league appearances.

He was signed midway through that campaign by Dyche, who clearly sees something in the forward that could aid the Everton cause.

Whether the fans agree is open to debate. A season which began with Frank Lampard in charge turned toxic as it became clear that things were not progressing as planned.

Andry fan protests led to the board staying away from games as supporters demanded change at the top.

The general feeling was that the same scenario as played out over the two previous seasons must not be repeated.

Therefore Dyche needs to add some quality to his ranks and creative players to score more goals.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s injury woes mean he cannot be relied on, with the Toffees needing a forward or two who will bring them goals.

Weghorst has found the net at previous clubs but still has much to prove in England.

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