Everton could sign £29m Onana replacement who has “enormous skills”

Everton have made a host of signings this summer as Sean Dyche seeks to improve his squad, but despite selling Amadou Onana to Aston Villa in a £50m package, a replacement has yet to be added to the foldTim Iroegbunam joined the Goodison Park side in a £9m transfer last month in a cross-player transaction with the Villans that saw Lewis Dobbin head in the other direction, but the 21-year-old earned just one start under Unai Emery in the Premier League last season

More is needed in the engine room, and luckily, moves are being made to sign an exciting new player to complete the set.

Everton transfer news

According to a report from Caught Offside earlier this week, Everton have been in contact with the representatives of Habib Diarra, with the 20-year-old midfielder having enjoyed a terrific season with Strasbourg in Ligue 1.

Valued at about €35m (£29m) by the Ligue 1 side, it remains to be seen whether the Merseysiders can meet the fee, though Onana’s departure could see the dream realised.

What Habib Diarra would bring to Everton

Diarra has been described as a player with “enormous skills in progression” by one Italian football writer – who had taken note following links to Napoli – and indeed offers the kind of athletic skillset that could prove to be a real asset for Dyche’s Blues.

Still in the fledgling phase of his promising career, Diarra has enjoyed two seasons in the thick of the action with Strasbourg and started 28 Ligue 1 matches last year, impressing throughout.