Monday’s Toffee Bites: Everton renew interest in £5 million defender

Everton don’t even play a game for another couple of weeks, but the 2017/18 season begins today. A huge chunk of the Blues squad will return to Finch Farm this morning as they begin training for the season ahead. If things go as expected, this will be a football campaign for the ages. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and midfielder Davy Klaassen have already been confirmed additions. And striker Sandro Ramirez and centerback Michael Keane are expected to join this week. What a time to be a Toffee!

In case you missed it

Sandro set to be confirmed Monday
Release clause kicks in on July 3rd, so it finally sounds like Sandro Ramirez will be a Toffee.

Michael Keane to undergo Everton medical as Josh King emerges as a striking target
Everton’s sensational summer of spending looks set to continue.

Everton keen on £20 million move for Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud
EFC’s impressive transfer window could see them seeking to move on their direct rivals

Monday’s Bites

Everton have made other Premier League clubs “look a bit stupid” - Mirror Online
This is written by Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler. Long story, short: he is impressed by the Blues taking the transfer market by storm.

Transfer Betting & Odds - Sky Bet
Not exactly Everton-specific but it's nice to look at once in a while. The real tasty one? The Toffees are at 80/1 odds to sign Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo. Or how about Zlatan Ibrahimovic at 25/1? So you're saying there's a chance?

Could Everton get Sunderland's Lamine Kone for £5m? - HITC
The centerback could be part of a swap deal that sends Aiden McGeady to recently-relegated Sunderland.

Everton may have to wait to sign Gylfi Sigurdsson - Daily Post
Koeman continues to covet the midfielder, but Swansea are determined not to let their star man go on the cheap.

Lyon confirms Lacazette on brink of €50 million Arsenal move - ESPN FC
Arsenal signing someone? Good for them. Alexandre Lacazette is quality. More importantly, this may mean Olivier Giroud is ready to move and find playing time elsewhere.

Player profile: Cuco Martina - GrandOldTeam
A fellow Everton blog takes a look at the right back, who is expected to sign with Everton on a free transfer early this summer.

Deulofeu: "I have a year in Barça, then we'll see" - Sport.es
Gerard Deulofeu is no longer an Everton player, but he's not exactly ecstatic to be back with Barcelona either.

Twelve Players Leave Goodison - EvertonFC.com
It was expected, but here are the players that left Everton over the weekend as they saw their contracts expire, including Arouna Kone and Conor McAleny.

FIFA Ratings of the new players

The new FIFA game will not debut for another couple of months, but that doesn’t mean we all won’t be starting up career modes with “The New Everton” in the mean time. These ratings are based off of FIFA 17. (source: sofifa.com)

GK - Jordan Pickford - 76 overall (86 potential)
ST - Sandro Ramirez - 77 overall (85 potential)
CM - Davy Klaassen - 81 overall (84 potential)
CB - Michael Keane - 79 overall (86 potential)
LM - Henry Onyekuru - 75 overall (87 potential)

Targets
CAM - Gylfi Sigurdsson - 82 overall (83 potential)
ST - Olivier Giroud - 83 overall (83 potential)
ST - Joshua King - 74 overall (77 potential)
CB - Lamine Kone - 76 overall (77 potential)
ST - Andre King - 76 overall (79 potential)
RM - Karim Bellarabi - 83 overall (83 potential)
RB - Cuco Martina - 70 overall (70 potential)

Did I miss anyone? Feel free to add them in the comments below!

What to Watch

USL: Reno 1868 vs. LA Galaxy II, 10:30 p.m. ET, SiriusXM FC, YouTube
MLB: Orioles @ Brewers, 2:10 p.m. ET, MLBN
Red Sox @ Rangers, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
Tennis: Wimbledon, 1st round, 6:30 a.m. ET, ESPN
Cycling: Tour de France, stage 3, 6 a.m. ET, NBCSN
NBA Summer League: From noon - 8 p.m. ET, NBAN

Thanks for your continued support of Royal Blue Mersey!