Everton’s busy summer shows no sign of slowing down. The Merseyside club are closing in on Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Tom King, and are also set to confirm the signing of highly rated Charlton Athletic teenager Reuben Gokah, as they continue to reshape their squad ahead of the new season.
The King deal
Everton have made progress over a deal for Tom King, with talks between the two clubs at an advanced stage. The Welsh goalkeeper is likely to move to Merseyside for a nominal fee, and would become Everton’s seventh signing of the summer.
King would provide cover for England number one Jordan Pickford and Mark Travers, filling the gap left by the summer departures of Joao Virginia and Asmir Begovic. Everton have been looking to strengthen their goalkeeping options throughout the window, and King’s arrival would complete that particular piece of business.
Investing in the future
Everton are also set to confirm the signing of Reuben Gokah, the 16 year old Charlton Athletic defender. The teenage centre back was first linked with a move last month, and is expected to swap south east London for Merseyside in time for the new season.
Gokah, who has been capped by England at Under 15 level, is initially expected to be part of Everton’s Under 18s, but the deal reflects a clear strategy of investing in young talent. He will be joined by fellow defensive prospect John Dodds, who is arriving from Scottish side Hearts.
A club in transition
The moves are part of a wider rebuilding effort at Goodison Park. Everton have already brought in a number of players this summer, and the combination of experienced cover like King with exciting youth like Gokah points to a club planning for both the present and the future.
The goalkeeping department has been a particular priority, and King’s expected arrival means that particular area is close to being settled. For a club that has often found itself scrambling late in the window in recent years, the speed and clarity of this summer’s business will be a welcome change for supporters.
What happens next
With King and Gokah close to being confirmed, Everton’s focus will shift to any remaining gaps in the squad. The new Premier League season begins on August 21, and manager David Moyes will want his full squad in place well before then.
For now, the Toffees can be pleased with a window that has been purposeful and productive, and the latest additions only add to the sense of a club moving in the right direction.