During the summer transfer window, Everton will aim to enhance their attacking options by recruiting a striker and strengthening their wing positions. Reiss Nelson, the Arsenal winger who scored the decisive goal against Bournemouth, has emerged as a potential target for Everton.
Despite selling Anthony Gordon for £45 million in the January transfer window, Everton failed to acquire a suitable replacement for him. Currently, the Toffees have four players capable of playing on the flanks: Dwight McNeil, Alex Iwobi, Demarai Gray, and Andros Townsend. However, Iwobi has expressed a preference for playing centrally behind the striker, leaving Everton with only three natural wide options.
Townsend, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in March 2021, has been out of action for almost a year and is still recivering. This leaves Everton with inadequate squad depth in the wing positions. Townsend is also in the final four months of his contract, and there have been no indications that Everton plans to extend his contract.
In the event that Everton chooses not to extend Townsend’s contract and he departs as a free agent at the conclusion of the season, the club will require a replacement. According to 90min, Everton has shown interest in Nelson, who is also in the final four months of his contract at Arsenal and could become a free agent in the summer.
Although Arsenal is attempting to negotiate a new contract with Nelson, no agreement has been reached yet, raising the hopes of Everton and other potential suitors. Nelson has received offers from France, Italy, and Germany, but his priority is to remain at Arsenal, provided a new contract is agreed upon.