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If you were to ask an Everton fan how their season went, they would say something along the lines of “it was average, but there is hope for the future,” a message that seems to be said almost annually from supporters of the Merseyside club.

Another top-10 finish is good for Everton, who placed themselves firmly in the mix of the ‘could challenge for the top-six’ category of teams in the Premier League, and with the summer transfer window now underway the club has a chance to build on their chances of a European spot by bringing in those right players.

With Everton linked with a slew of players, who are the five main targets that the club have been rumoured with, and who should the Toffees actually sign this summer?

[snack_break title="Danny Welbeck"]

You just knew the moment it was announced Danny Welbeck was leaving Arsenal that Everton would be one of the favourites to sign him, and the Evening Standard have reported just that.

The Toffees lead the race for the England international’s signature after it was confirmed that the Gunners striker would be departing north London when his contract expires this summer and, for Everton, it could be a coup.

Welbeck has struggled massively with injuries this season, but when he has played the former Manchester United man has been a reliable striker as well as a useful player to have in the attack, and for Everton, he would be a success under Marco Silva’s guidance.

[snack_break title="Cengiz Under"]

One of the more high profile names to be linked with a move to Goodison Park this summer is Roma winger Cengiz Under, who TuttoMercatoWeb report that Everton have had a €28 million (£25 million) offer for the youngster rejected.

The Turkish youngster had a decent season in Italy, scoring three and assisting eight as the Roman club missed out on Champions League football, but at Everton, Under could flourish.

Playing alongside the likes of Gylfi Sigurdsson and Richarlison will bring out the best in Under, who will make Everton fans happy by replacing Theo Walcott in the starting XI, and at 21-years-old, the winger could become a success on Merseyside.

[snack_break title="Andrija Zivkovic"]

Andrija Zivkovic might be an unfamiliar name to most Everton fans, but to Benfica supporter and Football Manager players, they know that the Toffees could be landing themselves a gem.

According to CM Sport via Four Four Two, Everton will need to cough up €35 million (£30.9 million) for the Serbian winger if the club are to go in for the exciting prospect, but in a season where Zivkovic only managed seven assists in 30 games and was largely a rotation player, Silva could be better off spending his money elsewhere.

Able to play on both wings and behind the main striker, Zivkovic has the versatility to be a hit at Everton, but spending over £30 million on a player who can’t make it at Benfica will be a risk too big to take for the club, who should be using that kind of money on first-team quality star.

[snack_break title="Santiago Sosa"]

Another name unfamiliar to English football fans, the Daily Mail report that Santiago Sosa to Everton is all but a done deal with the Blues paying a reported £13.25 million for the River Plate midfielder, and it could be a risky signing.

Sosa has hardly played for the first-team of the historic Argentinean club, making just four appearances this season, and Everton shelling out a hefty fee for a player who has featured little will be an alarm bell for fans.

Saying that, there’s a reason Everton paid so much for the midfielder. Sosa has been one of Argentina’s best U-20 players in the past year and impressed for the South American side at the U-20 World Cup this month. Silva might have spent too much on unproven talent, but it could be one that works out well in the long run.

[snack_break title="Andre Gomes"]

He might have spent a season on-loan at Everton, but there is a reason Silva wants Andre Gomes back on a permanent deal.

The Portuguese international was exceptional for the Toffees last campaign, adding creativity to an Everton midfield that had lacked such qualities and it showed, with the Barcelona man quickly becoming a fan favourite at the club, and now according to football.london, Silva’s side are the favourites to sign Gomes on a full-time basis.

At 25-years-old, Gomes will be playing his peak years at Everton can get a deal done with Barcelona, and after settling so quick and being adored by the fans, all the club need to do now is submit that offer.

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