The Toffees have completed the signing of winger Dwight McNeil from Burnley for an undisclosed fee believed to be around 24 million euros. McNeil has signed a five-year contract with the Merseyside club, which will run until the end of the 2026/27 season. He will wear the number seven during his time on Merseyside.
Speaking to the club website, the 22-year-old singled out manager Frank Lampard as a key motivation behind him switching teams. He claimed that the former Chelsea player and boss can help him improve his numbers.
“Speaking to the manager about what they want going forward, it really excited me and appealed to me. I wanted to be part of it. He knows me as a player, as does Kevin Thelwell. I want to work hard and do well for the team and for the fans.
“I feel playing under a manager like Frank Lampard, he will help me to get my stats up – and that is what I want to do and improve my game,”
the Englishman said.
McNeil becomes the club’s third arrival this season. He is set to reunite with his centre-back James Tarkowski, who joined as a free agent from the relegated Burnley at the beginning of July. Earlier this week, the Toffees have confirmed the arrival of former Sportinb Club wingback Ruben Vinagre.
With McNeil in, Everton have switched their focus on signing a midfielder. Their search for a controller at the base of the midfield has led them back to former player Idrissa Gana Gueye, who left the club in 2019 to sign for Paris Saint-Germain.
As per Fabrizio Romano, PSG are looking to sell the Senegalese as quickly as possible as part of their summer revamp. The Ligue 1 champions have signed Vitinha for their midfield and are hoping to bring in Lille midfielder Renato Sanches, too. Gueye previously played for the Toffees from 2016 to 2019, making 108 appearances and scoring four goals in the process.
