Everton are reportedly 'extremely keen' on signing Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour this summer, according to journalist Fraser Fletcher.
The lowdown: Heavily linked
The Toffees have been heavily linked with a move for Gilmour throughout the ongoing transfer window, with some reports suggesting that Frank Lampard had previously been given the green light to bring the youngster to Goodison Park.
However, the 21-year-old former Glasgow Rangers academy prospect remains in London ahead of the new Premier League season getting underway this weekend following a disappointing 2021/22 campaign whilst on loan at Norwich City.
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Now it appears as though Everton are finally ready to step up their attempts to bring Gilmour to Goodison Park...
The latest: 'Enquiries'
Taking to Twitter, journalist Fletcher has claimed that the Merseyside outfit have made 'enquires' regarding the 15-cap Scotland international.
He stated: “Everton extremely keen on getting Billy Gilmour on loan. As I've said before Frank Lampard is a huge fan and Chelsea ready to hear proposal for season long loan. Enquiries have already been made, full negotiations to begin shortly.”
Fletcher continued: “Lots of clubs also considering Gilmour bid but Lampard and Everton to move first.”
The verdict: Get it done
Having sold talismanic forward Richarlison to Tottenham, so far this summer the Blues have only managed to add James Tarkowski, Dwight McNeil and Ruben Vinagre to a squad that avoid relegation by the narrowest of margins last term.
On the eve of the 2022/23 season getting underway, that's a worrying state of affairs and the interest in the likes of Gilmour, Armando Broja and Idrissa Gueye needs to turn into something tangible sooner rather than later if Lampard is going to be able to compete, particularly in light of the Dominic Calvert-Lewin injury news this week.
Operating as a defensive midfielder and in a box-to-box role, last season, Gilmour provided two assists in 28 appearances for a struggling Norwich side, earning a 6.82 Sofascore rating whilst winning 3.8 duels, making 1.0 key pass and completing 1.2 clearances on average per league outing - showcasing battling qualities to accompany his clever passing ability.
Sharing a close stylistic likeness to such top-class operators as Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho (Fbref), the talented Scot - who was hailed as a 'diamond' by former Leeds United frontman Noel Whelan - certainly has what it takes to be a success in the Premier League.
Albeit only likely to be a loan deal that could see Everton take on a £43,000 per week wage (Spotrac), signing a player of Gilmour's ilk would be a sensational coup for the Toffees and one that Lampard's preexisting relationship will hopefully help come to fruition.