Everton transfer collapses after swap deal talks – sources
Sean Dyche is not willing to let Vitaliy Mykolenko leave Everton this summer despite interest from Napoli, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed that the manager is not willing to weaken his first team after Ben Godfrey and Amadou Onana’s departures.
Mykolenko, 25, established himself as an important part of the Everton team in the second half of last season with a string of impressive displays.
Football Insider revealed on 18 July that there had been discussions between the club about a cash-plus player deal involving Jesper Lindstrom.
However, Dyche would prefer to land Lindstrom on a loan-to-buy deal to improve his wide options, while also keeping Mykolenko at the club.
Everton boss Sean Dyche reluctant to sell Vitaliy Mykolenko despite Napoli talks
Mykolenko arrived at Goodison Park in a deal worth £19.8million in 2022 and has since played 85 games for the club, becoming a key part of Dyche’s plans.
Last season, he featured 34 times across all competitions until an ankle injury saw him drop out of the team for the final four games of the season.
The club are no longer in need of sales this summer after the exits of Ben Godfrey, Lewis Dobbin and Amadou Onana, which will allow them to hold on to the left-back.
Napoli are looking to strengthen their squad after a disappointing season in which they finished tenth, having lifted the league title in the previous season.
Mykolenko emerged as a target to improve their back line, but the chances of a move have been dismissed by Dyche.
The Everton boss is not willing to see his squad weakened further and will now shift his focus to incoming targets, with a new winger top of his list.
In other news, Everton have told Beto to find a new club this summer.
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