Everton look set to announce duo as first summer signings

Everton are closing on the signings of Bournemouth goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and former Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend.

Deals for the duo are nearing completion as they look set to be announced as Everton’s first signings under Rafael Benitez’s reign at Goodison Park.

Townsend, 30, will arrive as a free agent on Merseyside after his five season spell at Crystal Palace came to end at the beginning of the month.

The winger has 243 Premier League appearances to his name, and a move to Everton will see him reunite with Benitez. Townsend played under the Spaniard at Newcastle United, but upon the Magpies’ relegation to the Championship in 2016, the winger left to sign for the Eagles.

Another imminent arrival at Everton is Bournemouth goalkeeper Begovic who has already completed a medical with the club and was spotted in the official club store over the weekend.

Begovic, 34, who was named in the EFL Championship Team of the Year, has kept 61 clean sheets in 252 Premier League appearances, and he is one of only six goalkeepers to ever score in the Premier League.

The experienced Bosnian provides much-needed cover for current number one Jordan Pickford, after last season’s second choice Robin Olsen returned to parent club Roma upon the ending of his season-long loan.

Demarai Gray and Denzel Dumfries interest

Everton are also interested in signing winger Demarai Gray and full-back Denzel Dumfries before the start of the season.

Sky Sports reported this morning Gray, 25, is undergoing an Everton medical today, with the Blues signing the Englishman for his buy out clause price of £1.5m.

Gray signed for Bayer Leverkusen from Leicester City in January, but after only six months in Germany, the Bundesliga side are willing to sell the forward because of his wages.

The former England under-21 international recorded 19 goal contributions in 133 Premier League appearances for Leicester, which included 12 appearances as a 20-year-old in the clubs’ title winning season.

After multiple seasons of struggling for game time in England, and a non-progressive stint in Germany, an opportunity to reignite his career is on the cards for Gray at Goodison.

The Toffees are also interested in signing PSV Eindhoven captain, Dumfries who looks set to leave the Dutch side this window, although no concrete offers have yet to be submitted.

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Despite interest from Inter Milan, Everton appear to be the front runner to sign the defender, as the Toffees remain in talks with Dumfries’ agent Mino Raiola over personal terms.

Dumfries, 25, was one of the standout players in the Euro 2020 group stages, with the Dutchman scoring twice and making one assist in three matches. However, with the right back’s price being higher than other signings, Everton may have to wait till players are sold in order to comply with Financial Fair Play requirements.

Goodison Park departures

In terms of outgoings at Everton, Benitez has confirmed a number of big earners have been allowed to leave the club, in order to respect FFP.

James Rodriguez, Andre Gomes, Fabian Delph and Bernard are all believed to be included in the category, with the Brazilian winger in talks with multiple clubs over a move.

Moise Kean’s future on Merseyside is still up in the air, with the Toffees and PSG unable to come to an agreement on a deal. The French side wish to sign the Italian on a second successive season-long loan, however, Benitez says Kean will only leave on a permanent basis.

The forward rejoined the squad for pre-season last week, and alongside Rodriguez, featured in Everton’s behind closed doors win over Blackburn Rovers last Saturday, and both will be part of Everton’s Florida Cup squad.

The Toffees’ next pre-season outing is against Colombian side Millionarios at the weekend, before they take on either Arsenal or Inter Milan three days later.

Benitez will be hoping to have a few new arrivals available to his squad, but if not, a friendly against Manchester United a week before the season starts would come as any signings’ non-official debut.

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