Everton: Idrissa Gueye to be 'very important' in agreeing Abdul Fatawu deal
Everton manager David Moyes could be reliant on Idrissa Gueye's opinion in his pursuit of Leicester City winger Abdul Fatawu.
That is the view of former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking to Football Insider, as Everton have been linked with a move for Fatawu this summer.
The 22-year-old is expected to be sold by Leicester in the transfer window after the Foxes suffered a shock relegation to League One.
Everton would face competition from Sunderland for Fatawu, who has previously made 11 appearances in the Premier League for Leicester.
There is expected to be incomings at Everton this summer in a bid to increase squad depth, whilst Moyes' side are still in with a chance of securing European football for next season.
Leicester could be faced with 'big auction' for Abdul Fatawu
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs - believes Gueye's opinion of Fatawu will be an "important factor" for Moyes.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks the price to bring Fatawu to Hill Dickinson Stadium could be determined by whether there is a "big auction" for the winger.
| Games Started | 42 |
| Goals | 9 |
| Assists | 7 |
| Chances Created | 55 |
| Successful Dribbles | 43.2% |
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I’m sure that David Moyes has been speaking to Idrissa Gueye, and asking what’s his opinion of him?
"They played together in the Ghana national team. That will be an important factor in that decision. David will be asking him what’s he like as a character. That’s going to be a key factor for David.
"He’s at the right age. He seems to be a young talent. I’ve had experience with Ghana players many times. I had Idrissa Gueye before I sold him back to Everton. There’s a great heritage of football from Ghana.
"There’s no doubt he’s a young talent, but has he really fulfilled it? It’s difficult to tell in a squad like Leicester as to really where he is. And so I think Idrissa’s opinion will be very, very important to listen to. That’s going to be a key thing.
"Now with Leicester, there’s going to be a fire sale of players and it’s whether there’s a big auction for this particular player. It will dictate the price and what they think, but he could be certainly one of the ones that Moyes could be looking at.”
Everton to make move for out-of-contract star
Everton could strengthen their options at left-back with the free signing of Newcastle defender Matt Targett this summer.
Sources have told Football Insider that Targett wants to remain in the Premier League, with Leeds also interested in his services.
The 30-year-old has spent the season on loan at Championship club Middlesborough, who could secure promotion to the Premier League this campaign.
Targett's contract at Newcastle expires in the summer, and the Magpies are not expected to offer him a new deal to remain at St James' Park.