Transfer Rumors: Everton making push for African duo | OneFootball

It's going to be a big summer for David Moyes and his Everton squad this summer, as they look to out-of-contract with either out of contract players on new deals, new signings, or loan moves to improve upon this campaign's outcome.

And as the Premier League nears the close of the 2024/25 season, the rumors are beginning to circulate about where players could go for next year, be it free agents who control their destiny or players looking for moves away from their current clubs.

In Everton's case, the rumors are coming from the site Africafoot.com, which focuses on coverage around African footballers who ply their trade around the world.

Recent rumors look at two players: current Brighton right back Tariq Lamptey and winger Moses Simon of FC Nantes in France.

Both players would fill a position of need for Everton, so let's unpack each rumor based on Africafoot's reporting.

Tariq Lamptey is available on a free

Fulham FC v Brighton & Hove Albion FC - Premier League | Sebastian Frej/MB Media/GettyImages

In the case of Lamptey, the Ghana international is out of contract with Brighton at the end of the season, meaning the 24-year-old defender will be able to choose his next destination.

The move would be a solid one for the Toffees, who have had a bit of a black hole at right back in recent years as Seamus Coleman has struggled to stay on the pitch. Attempts to fill the void with the likes of Ashley Young and Nathan Patterson have either failed or are just band-aid solutions, and while Jake O'Brien has acquitted himself nicely there, he's a centerback by trade.

Africafoot's report suggets that while Everton have been in the pole position to sign Lamptey, that Dutch outfit Ajax have joined the race and that Lamptey has "finally chosen the Dutch club over Everton, who have been a long-time suitor."

Whether that is true or not remains to be seen, although the report also mentions that the right back is looking to sign a deal that pays him more than the deal Brighton had him on for the past six years.

Lamptey has done well in the Premier League with Brighton and would step immediately into Everton's lineup as the starting right back, so if playing time matters as much as money then the Merseyside club can offer that.

Moses Simon looking for a change

In the case of Simon, the move seems to be more about a change of scenery than anything else, since the winger still has another year on his deal with Nantes, who are lingering near the bottom of Ligue 1.

The Nigerian international has been with Nantes since joining from Levante in Spain in 2019, and he's been a solid performer for them, playing in 196 games (175 starts) and nearly 15,000 minutes, knocking in 36 goals (on 32.9 xG) and 39 assists (on 30.0 xAG), most of which came from open play.

He's a progressive dribbler and leads his club in progressive passes received by a wide margin, suggesting that Simon is a goal scoring threat from the wing the likes of which Everton could use to pair with Iliman Ndiaye.

According to Africafoot, however, Everton would not be alone in seeking the services of the 29-year-old (he'll turn 30 in July). The site lists OGC Nice and Marseille in France, Roma in Italy (who are also owned by the Friedkin Group, remember), and Crystal Palace, Wolves, and Brentford in England as other possibilities.

The age is a bit troubling here, only because the return on investment is not likely to be high, but if Everton could get him for a reasonable fee (Transfermarkt lists him around €12 million), then he could be a player who adds a spark to the attacking part of the game for the Blues.