Everton boss David Moyes believes it is important to strengthen the squad with further signings before the market slams shut. Those at Elland Road on Monday evening would attest to that.

You can hardly draw conclusions after one match, especially when that match is the season’s curtain-raiser, but Everton clearly need a right-back and more depth in midfield and up front too.

Moyes wants his side to make real headway in the Premier League this season, competing for a first top-half finish since in 2020 under Carlo Ancelotti.

But more signings are needed, and there’s one rising talent in particular who is viewed as a dream signing for the Merseysiders.

Everton planning statement signing

Jack Harrison was pitted against Everton on Monday, having spent the past two years on loan at Goodison Park. Everton were probably right to have fed him into the streaming exodus before the summer, but have yet to sign a direct replacement on the right flank.

Jack Grealish certainly adds some magic to Moyes’ midfield, but the fleet-footed Three Lion is at his best when playing centrally or leaning to the left.

With this in mind, Everton are looking to sign Tyler Dibling from Southampton, having already seen a series of attempts to sign the dynamic attacking midfielder rebuffed this summer.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the Friedkin Group “remain in negotiations” with Saints for the 19-year-old, who might also be creeping up Tottenham Hotspur’s shortlist after the Lilywhites fumbled their bid for Arsenal-bound Eberechi Eze.

The main sticking point pertains to the differences in valuation: Everton have already seen a £40m offer including add-ons, knocked back.

Why Everton should sign Tyler Dibling

Dibling is a terrific young player, even remarked to be a “world-class talent” by Southampton’s academy manager, Andy Goldie.

He performed admirably in an abject Southampton team last year, notching seven goal contributions across the campaign.

He might be a ‘world-class’ talent, but Dibling has a long way to go before he can stand proud as one of the dominant wingers on Premier League soil. Under Grealish’s wing at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, he might just realise his lofty ambitions.

Former Premier League star Stuart Pearce remarked last year that Dibling could be the next version of the England international, similarly silky on the ball and powerful and agile when he gets going.

Right winger

13

1

0

Attacking midfield

7

1

2

Centre-forward

5

2

1

Right wing-back

1

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And where better to nurture his natural abilities than at Everton alongside the 29-year-old? Grealish, after all, ranks among the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe over the past 365 days for pass completion, the top 13% for progressive passes, the top 1% for progressive carries and the top 9% for shot-creating actions per 90, data provided by FBref.

He might have fallen by the wayside on an individual level across his final two years with Manchester City, but Grealish remains one of the most dangerous ball carriers in the business, and Dibling could feed on that if he moves to Everton before the end of the month.

Everton need a right-sided forward, and Dibling could be the perfect man to complete Moyes’ frontline and develop alongside a player like Grealish into the superstar he has been billed as.

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