Everton could sign £25m man on free transfer after scouting mission seven years ago

Everton are going to have to be savvy in the transfer market. Sean Dyche and Kevin Thelwell are under no illusions.

Both have declared that is is going to be another tricky summer when it comes to the business the Toffees conduct given the precarious financial situation and a takeover still to be completed after 777 Partners’ deal inevitably collapsed.

Goodison Park boss Dyche confessed that conducting deals will be akin to juggling sand. Director of football Thelwell, meanwhile, admitted before the final home game of last season that sales will be required to help meet Premier League profit and sustainability rules.

In truth, avoiding another relegation battle will be the aim in 2024-25. The Blues comfortably avoided the drop despite an eight-point deduction for two breaches of financial rules. While they would have finished 12th without the punishment, Dyche is under no illusions. Safeguarding the club is his chief target.

Last summer provided a challenge when it came to recruitment. Dyche made a decision to have a smaller squad, trying to maximise the budget as well as he could. Ashley Young, Jack Harrison and Arnaut Danjuma were brought in as they could play in multiple positions. Signing versatile players could again be imperative.

As will free agents. Those on the market who do not require a fee will appeal. Retained lists have been published by Premier League clubs and an array of names have been released. Plenty have been debated as to whether Everton should make a move.

One area that Everton required added depth is left-back. Vitalii Mykolenko is the only specialist player who can operate in the role. Young can provide cover but is yet to sign a new contract. Ben Godfrey is the other option.

More wingers are also needed. As things stand, Dwight McNeil is the only senior wide man tied down after the exits of loanees Harrison and Danjuma, although the Toffees are in discussions with Leeds United over the former.

When scrolling down the free agent list, perhaps one name meets the criteria - although it would no doubt be a risk.

When bursting onto the scene, there were few more exciting players than Ryan Sessegnon. He broke into Fulham’s first team aged just 16, becoming the youngest scorer in the Championship and helped the club win promotion to the Premier League in 2017-18 - picking up the division’s Player of the Year award in the process.

The following season, he made 35 top-flight appearances when still a teenager. His buccaneering performances down the flank impressed and earned him a £25 million move to Tottenham.

Yet in the five years at Spurs, his career has stalled. In that period, Sessegnon has managed just 57 outings - mainly due to injury - while he spent 2020-21 on loan at German club Hoffenheim. Last term, the former England under-21 international played only once because of chronic hamstring issues. Despite Tottenham holding the option to extend his contract by a year, he was released.

In truth, Everton may not be in a position to gamble on signing injury-prone players. If Dyche is to have a thin squad, he needs those who are durable. But sometimes calculated risks are also required. Sessegnon is still only 24 and if he can prove his fitness over the summer, he could be an option later in the window should the Toffees have room in the budget.

Moreover, Dyche has helped get to the bottom of Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s injury issues that plagued him for two seasons.

Before moving to Spurs, Everton reportedly checked out Sessegnon. The Mirror reported that former director of football Steve Walsh cast his eye over Sessegnon during Fulham’s 3-1 win over Preston in March 2017. Seven years later, they could revive their interest.