Keith Wyness reveals if Everton have the money to finalise Djed Spence deal
Everton have the financial muscle to meet Tottenham's £40million demands for right-back Djed Spence.
That is according to former Toffees chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who has warned that the 25-year-old’s strong performances for England at the World Cup won’t help his former club’s cause.
The Merseysiders have emerged as genuine contenders to sign Spence this summer, who also has reported interest from Inter Milan.
Wyness believes that a deal for the former Nottingham Forest man is within Everton’s capabilities, provided that his value doesn’t spike further after his World Cup displays.
The defender shone for England in their semi-final defeat to Argentina on Wednesday, and proved what he is capable of on the world stage.
Football Insider recently revealed that Tottenham will demand at least £40m to even entertain a deal for Spence this summer, but that price tag could now increase.
Everton may fall victim to ‘World Cup inflation’
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that the Toffees’ pursuit could fall victim to “World Cup inflation.”
Clubs from around the world have had their eyes fixed on the tournament for potential transfer targets, and strong performers are expected to see their market value rise significantly as a result.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness outlined how that could cause a major issue for Everton.
"Well, I think it was all going ahead quite nicely until Spence started performing quite well at the World Cup," he joked.
"Suddenly people are talking about him in a different way; he's probably put his own price up with the way he's performed. I think the price could be achieved provided there isn't this World Cup inflation, which we've talked about before as well.
"So look, it's one that we've just got to keep an eye on. But as I say, there could be lots of World Cup inflation."
Douglas Luiz open to completing Everton move
Football Insider revealed earlier this week that Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz is open to joining Everton this summer.
David Moyes has the former Aston Villa man on his radar as a midfield target, given that Juventus have made it clear he has no long-term future there.
The Italian giants are trying to drum up in interest in Luiz this summer, and Everton have already come to the table as a potential suitor.
The 28-year-old had loan spells with both Villa and Nottingham Forest last term, but struggled to establish himself as a key player for either club.