£85m+ quartet sign, Onana ditched: Everton’s dream XI after the transfer window – opinion

Everton FC is set to undergo a significant transformation this summer, with the club poised to spend over £85 million on new signings. Despite the looming threat of Premier League sanctions for breaching Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), the Toffees are determined to strengthen their squad and improve their chances of success next season.

According to recent transfer rumors, Everton’s dream starting XI for the 2024/25 season could look like this:Goalkeeper: Jordan PickfordThe England number one has been instrumental in Everton’s survival campaign, keeping 13 clean sheets and earning praise for his performances. Signed for £30 million in 2017, Pickford has proven to be a bargain for the Toffees.Right-back: Yukinari SugawaraWith Ashley Young and Seamus Coleman in their twilight years, Everton is in the market for a new right-back. Yukinari Sugawara, a 23-year-old Japanese international, has emerged as a potential target.

The AZ Alkmaar sensation could be available for just £5 million and offers an attacking threat from right-back, having contributed nine assists last season.Center-back: Jarrad BranthwaiteThe 21-year-old has had an excellent campaign for Everton, starting 35 out of 38 Premier League matches and attracting interest from Manchester United.

The Toffees are keen to keep hold of their young talent and build a long-term center-back partnership around Branthwaite.Center-back: James TarkowskiThe 31-year-old has been a rock for Everton, starting every single league match under Sean Dyche this season. Since his free transfer to Goodison Park, Tarkowski has featured 85 times for the Toffees, proving to be one of the club’s best signings in recent times.Left-back: Vitaliy MykolenkoThe Ukrainian left-back has settled into life in the Premier League, featuring 28 times under Dyche and scoring twice.

Mykolenko has become an integral part of Everton’s defense, starring alongside Tarkowski and Branthwaite.Right midfielder: Yankuba MintehThe 19-year-old, contracted to Newcastle United, has impressed on loan at Feyenoord, scoring ten goals and providing five assists in the Eredivisie. Everton has been credited with an interest in the Gambian winger, who could command a fee of around £40 million.Central midfielder: James GarnerThe former Manchester United youngster has made 61 appearances since his switch to Goodison in the summer of 2022, scoring twice. With Garner only 23, he has a huge future ahead of him at Everton, and his versatility and talent make him an ideal replacement for Amadou Onana, who could be on his way out.Central midfielder: Khephren ThuramThe 23-year-old Frenchman has enjoyed a brilliant campaign in Ligue 1, featuring 27 times for Nice, and has attracted interest from Everton and Napoli. A potential bargain at £21 million, Thuram could be the perfect replacement for Onana.Left midfielder: Dwight McNeilThe £20 million wideman has racked up 82 appearances for Everton since his big-money move back in the summer of 2022. McNeil has demonstrated his quality towards the tail end of the campaign, scoring and assisting in victories against Nottingham Forest and Liverpool.Attacking midfielder: Abdoulaye DoucoureThe Malian international has finished the season as Everton’s joint top-scorer alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and his experience and quality make him an ideal candidate to start in the attacking midfielder role.Striker: Armando BrojaThe Albanian forward could be available to leave Chelsea for around £20 million this summer, and his potential for a fresh start after suffering an ACL injury in 2022 makes him an attractive signing for Everton.

This dream starting XI would represent a significant overhaul of Everton’s squad, with a mix of youth and experience, defensive solidity, and attacking flair.

However, with the club’s financial constraints and the need to offload players to comply with PSR rules, it remains to be seen whether this team will come to fruition.