After missing out on European football on the final day of the season, Everton will need to make a statement in the transfer market in order to appease their demanding fans.
With Carlo Ancelotti at the helm, they will surely never have a better opportunity of breaking back into the Champions League, so they will need to be effective in the summer window.
What’s the word?
Everton’s priority this summer is to find a new winger but they would be foolish if they ignored other parts of the squad.
With Dominic Calvert-Lewin attracting the attention of Manchester United, they need to be wise to the idea that he could leave. If he does depart, then Daryl Dike could be an option for the Toffees.
The 20-year-old enjoyed a fabulous campaign on loan at Barnsley but has now headed back to his parent club Orlando City in MLS.
According to TEAMtalk, Everton and Wolves lead an eight-club chase for the young striker, who has attracted the interest of Chelsea, Manchester United and Leeds but also has suitors in the form of Southampton, Brighton, Crystal Palace and Norwich.
Barnsley have an £18m option to buy him this summer but, after failing to earn promotion from the Championship, a move to Oakwell seems less likely.
The next Lukaku
If Ancelotti lures Dike to Goodison Park this summer, he could end up signing Everton’s new Romelu Lukaku.
The Belgian was an imperious force in Merseyside, bullying defenders and scoring goals on a relentless basis. He eventually departed for Manchester United but ended up scoring 87 goals during 166 appearances in the royal blue of Everton.
He was unable to steer them to Champions League football but, with Ancelotti now at the helm, Dike could take the Toffees to new levels.
The United States international has plenty of maturing to do but he is a brute in possession of the ball, a player who - similarly to Lukaku - can strike the ball with immense force and brush opponents to one side.
Speaking about Dike’s qualities, former Barnsley team-mate Jordan Williams commented: “Daryl has got a rocket of a right foot. I think he's similar to Lukaku. He hasn't scored as many goals yet, but he can hit a ball just as hard.”
The youngster scored nine goals in 21 Championship outings for the Tykes this season, bagging goals by using clever moment and monumental strength.
Dike isn’t all about scoring goals, however. For Barnsley, the attacker has been a crucial part of their build-up play.
In an article for The Athletic, Joseph Lowery perfectly epitomised the machine that Dike is. He wrote: “At 6’1”, 220 pounds, it shouldn’t come as a shock that Dike is a force in the box. He’s a force anywhere on the field – and he’s a particularly useful force for Barnsley, given how they play under manager Valérien Ismaël.”
Lowery added: “Dike’s frame and ability to control hopeful long balls make him a key cog in Ismaël’s extremely aggressive, direct style.”
Possessing jaw-dropping strength and the ability to find the net consistently, this would be a superb addition for Everton.
Described as a "ruthless guy" by former college coach George Gelnovatch he'd be a superb acquisition.