Monumental blow for Everton as top target chooses Southampton, time is running out for Dyche | OneFootball

Southampton have reportedly won the race for Rennes winger Kamaldeen Sulemana after he chose to join them over Everton, according to reports.

As stated earlier today, the Saints and the Toffees both had £22m bids accepted by the French club, leaving Sulemana with the choice of either team, with both currently joint-bottom of the Premier League table.

This will come as a big boost to Southampton boss Nathan Jones, but as for new Blues manager Sean Dyche, it leaves him with very little time to get business done as we enter into the final hours of deadline day.

This is according to journalist David Ornstein, who claims that Sulemana will join Southampton on a four-and-a-half-year deal pending a medical in France later today.

The signing has the potential to have a huge impact on Southampton’s season as they look set for a relegation battle.

As mentioned, both the Saints and Everton find themselves joint-bottom of the table after picking just 15 points from a possible 60 – so the need for reinforcements for both squads is clear.

Jones and co have already brought in three new players this month in Luton Town defender James Bree, Argentine midfielder Carlos Alcaraz and Croatia international Mislav Orsic.

They are also pushing to sign SC Braga striker Vitinha on a £26m deal, although, Marseille have now also entered the race for him.

But, if they could get deals for both Vitinha and Sulemana over the line ahead of the 11pm deadline, it would represent a very successful window.

As for Everton, they are in a lot of trouble as it stands. Despite enduring their worst start to a season in their history and majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri reportedly promising new manager Dyche at least two new signings… they are quickly running out of time.

As well as being beaten by Southampton to on Sulemana, they are also set to miss out on Coventry City striker Viktor Gyokeres after the Sky Blues raised their asking price from £20m to £25m, according to Sky Sports’ Vinny O’Connor, who is currently at Finch Farm.

But, he is not the only target they have failed to sign today. On Twitter, O’Connor wrote: “So Sulemana is off to Southampton.

“Regarding other players linked with Everton, we are told nothing happening with Victor Gyokeres, Thorgan Hazard, Paul Onuachu, Sheraldo Becker and Andre Ayew.”

Understandably, Evertonians are very frustrated with the club’s business, given they sold Anthony Gordon to Newcastle for £40m, but have still failed to make any signings of their own.

If they don’t get any reinforcements in, you would imagine it will be an incredibly difficult season for Dyche as he looks to rejuvenate a dejected squad for yet another relegation scrap.