Everton failed to strengthen their squad during the January transfer window, with their focus lasered on securing a new manager in Sean Dyche, although a new update has emerged on a potential summer target.
What’s the latest on Dennis Geiger to Everton?
According to transfer expert Christian Falk, Hoffenheim midfielder Dennis Geiger could become the first signing of the Dyche era at Goodison Park when the transfer window reopens in the summer.
Falk wrote in his Caught Offside column: “Dennis Geiger could become Sean Dyche’s first signing for Everton. There is serious interest there, he’s 24 and is set to become a free agent in the summer. Also, Frankfurt and Benfica are interested, so I think there will be competition between Frankfurt and Everton.
“Frankfurt has to act on the position and they need someone but Everton has a bit more money. I think Geiger’s future could be up to these two clubs.”
Dyche could finally bin Davies
The recently-appointed Everton manager was not confirmed in the job until just before Deadline Day last month, so he wasn’t given an opportunity to get his feet under the table and obtain a full understanding of the gaps in personnel within the squad in time to acquire the right players to fit his philosophy.
However, the former Burnley boss has shown what he could get out of his current crop of the players at Goodison Park by taking all three points from league leaders Arsenal last weekend, so it will be interesting to see what he can do when he brings in players who he believes can make a positive impact next season.
Indeed, there is still a long way to go over the current campaign, with 17 fixtures left to secure survival in the Premier League. Nonetheless, planning for the future shows ambition and an intent to improve, and Geiger would be an excellent coup for the club.
Across 17 Bundesliga appearances this season, the 24-year-old has scored one goal, registered two assists and completed 57% of his dribbles, averaging 1.6 key passes, 1.4 tackles and 2.5 successful duels per game, proving that he can offer a real attacking threat from the middle of the park.
Geiger has been the recipient of some high praise over his career so far, with former Hoffenheim striker Sandro Wagner drawing comparisons with one Bayern Munich stalwart by saying: “He’s a real live-wire on the pitch. With a few more improvements, he can be like Joshua Kimmich.”
Snapping up the German talent’s services when he becomes a free agent in the summer could give Dyche the perfect opportunity to finally bin Everton dud Tom Davies, who will be out of contract in the summer.
The £25k-per-week liability has struggled to make his presence known on the pitch and offer consistency to the team, starting only four league matches all season and ranking as only the Toffees’ 18th-best performer this season with a modest 6.64 rating (as per Sofascore).
In 170 appearances for the club since his senior debut in 2016, Davies has managed just seven goals and eight assists, failing to offer much of an attacking threat from midfield, and he has often been a lightning rod for criticism from supporters over his performances.
By contrast, Geiger has managed more goal contributions (19) than the 24-year-old Toffees liability in 51 fewer senior career appearances, as per Transfermarkt.
If Everton can secure Geiger’s signature this summer for free, it would appear to represent a great piece of business for the club and could significantly improve their attacking quality in midfield next season.