(Football news) Everton are close to completing the signing of the former Manchester United academy prodigue Dwight McNeil from Burnley for a fee of around £20m, including add-ons. The 22-year-old winger is set to have agreed personal terms on a five-year contract and he will become the club’s third summer signing should the deal go through. Following former Burnley teammate James Tarkowski and Sporting defender Ruben Vinagre as the Portuguese left-sided defender was signed on a season-long loan on Wednesday.
Everton were also interested in Burnley forward Maxwel Cornet, but were unable to agree personal terms with the player. They quickly turned their attentions to McNeil, someone who has been on Rafael Benitez’s wish-list for Everton last summer, with manager Frank Lampard viewing the former England Under-21 international as a good acquisition for the present and most importantly in the future. Lampard is in need of additions up front after losing Richarlison to Tottenham. Vincent Kompany, the new Burnley manager, admitted on Wednesday that McNeil could leave the relegated club as they have lost several key players from the Sean Dyche era for free this summer.
The Everton fanbase are not happy with the winger who is only 22 and has made more than 130 Premier League appearances as he can play across the entire midfield. He broke through the first team in 2018-19, firing three goals and supplying five assists before playing 38 games the next season to help Burnley to 10th. In fact, his durability was the main attraction for Everton subsequently McNeil has only missed two league games in the last three seasons a contrast to the likes of Andros Townsend, Jean-Philippe Gbamin and Dele Alli, who have each battled injury issues over the past year
His productivity however has declined as he only managed one assist and no goals in Burnley’s relegation campaign. He was playing for a struggling team as the Clarets last season missed their main target, Chris Wood, who left in January for Newcastle. As you’d expect from someone who was brought through by Sean Dyche, he has got a tigerish spirit and was in the top one percent of attacking midfielders for interceptions and blocks last season. That might not be the most thrilling stat but the numbers show McNeil that he will put in a shift. With Dominic Calvin-Lewin as the perfect target man who will be awaiting his crosses and set pieces. He is also a mobile player, if not drastically quick, he can help Everton in transition. Frank Lampard will hope that following the signing of James Tarkowski from Burnley will indeed strengthen a side that came so close to getting relegated themselves.
“There have been a lot of conversations behind the scenes,” said Kompany. “These happen on a club-to-club level. We will have to see how it develops in the next few days.”
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