Everton may have already strengthened well this summer, but it does feel like the squad is still missing something that could help them enjoy a really profitable season.
Fans would be quick to point out a plethora of issues, but chief among them is the unrelenting lack of speed they are still without, particularly out wide.
Jesper Lindstrom and Iliman Ndiaye were both employed to rectify this issue, despite neither being out-and-out wingers, and whilst they are quick and silky, neither boast the raw unadulterated speed that players like Anthony Gordon, Adama Traore and Anthony Elanga all have.
Fortunately, that is an issue that Kevin Thelwell and Sean Dyche have identified, and are now taking strides towards solving.
Everton want to sign Ernest Nuamah before transfer deadline
That’s at least what’s being reported by French outlet L’Equipe, who have detailed the Toffees interest in another Lyon target.
Less than a day after it was revealed that Orel Mangala was set to join Everton, it seems they are far from finished fishing in the French market, and are back again to try and now snag a raw, laser-quick winger from the John Textor-owned club.
The player in question is Ernest Nuamah, and the report states: ‘Lyon’s Ghanaian international striker Ernest Nuamah, 20, is interested in Everton and Nottingham Forest. OL demands €30 million (£25m).
‘After paying €28.5 million at the beginning of July to permanently secure his services, will Olympique Lyonnais already separate from Ernest Nuamah? Loaned last season from RWD Molenbeek, the Ghanaian international striker (20 years old, 12 selections) is in the sights of two Premier League clubs, Everton and Nottingham Forest. Information was taken on the terms of his potential exit.’
Who is Everton target Ernest Nuamah?
Having started his footballing dream as most Ghanaians do, in the Right to Dream Academy, Nuamah eventually earned his big break in Europe by moving to Denmark, with FC Nordsjælland more than happy to take on his services.
There, the youngster quickly established himself within the first team, with Belgian side Molenbeek the next to take a risk on the speedster.
However, as another side owned by John Textor, he used his links with Lyon to afford the 20-year-old his most recent step up, moving to Ligue 1 where he has impressed with his unbridled dynamism.
When compared to other wingers across Europe, Nuamah actually ranks in the top 18% for successful carries and the top 19% for successful take-ons per 90, with FBref also suggesting he plays most like Kaoru Mitoma.
Last season he scored three and assisted two in Ligue 1.
And, it seems he has finally identified the winger they have been searching for, and will seek to use their tenuous John Textor link to beat a rival to the deal.