Jaden Philogene targeted by Everton as transfer frenzy continues

Everton are interested in Hull City winger Jaden Philogene, the ECHO understands.

The 22-year-old featured 32 times in the Championship last season, scoring 12 and providing six assists as Liam Rosenior’s side narrowly missed out on the play-offs.

The Blues are now considering whether to join the race for the young star’s signature after a campaign that caught the eye of scouts from around the Premier League and further afield.

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Philogene can play on both wings and would strengthen Everton in a key area should a deal for the England youth international, thought to be valued at around £16m, be pursued.

Following the sale of Lewis Dobbin to Aston Villa, the Blues have just two wide players in the squad - Dwight McNeil and Jack Harrison, whose return on loan from Leeds United has already been secured.

Philogene would also fit the preferred transfer strategy of director of football Kevin Thelwell, whose ideal approach is to strengthen Everton with young, promising players who can develop into stars at Finch Farm. Philogene is a graduate of Villa’s Bodymoor Heath academy - where the Blues' first summer signing Tim Iroebugnam honed his skills following a move from West Bromwich Albion.

The interest comes with Everton keen to boost their attacking options with Marseille forward Iliman Ndiaye on the brink of completing a move to Merseyside. Harrison has already been secured but providing Sean Dyche with further options out wide is seen as a priority. The week began with interest in Newcastle United winger Yankuba Minteh but any prospect of a deal at this stage of the summer decreased when talks between the clubs over Dominic Calvert-Lewin potentially heading to the north east broke down.

A busy opening fortnight of the summer transfer window has also seen Ben Godfrey fly out to Italy to undergo a medical ahead of his proposed sale to Atalanta. The defender is due to enter the final 12 months of his deal this summer and the swoop by the Europa League winners offers Everton a valuable opportunity to strengthen the club’s financial position ahead of the end of the football financial year on Sunday.