Incomings are the priority but several Everton players are the subject of interest from other clubs

Everton welcomed a new face into the dressing room last week as Ashley Young became the club’s first signing of the summer.

The 38-year-old’s introduction is a much-needed boost to a squad that has become increasingly threadbare since the end of last season. Asmir Begovic, Yerry Mina, Conor Coady, Ruben Vinagre, Tom Davies, Andros Townsend and academy starlet Isaac Price all left upon the expiration of their contracts at the end of last month; Begovic, Davies and Price having turned down new contracts

Since then two further players have left the club on permanent deals with striker Ellis Simms sealing a move to Championship side Coventry City and England Under-17s international Ishe Samuels-Smith heading to Chelsea. Young goalkeeper Harry Tyrer has also moved – he has secured a loan to Chesterfield.

With less than a month to go until the new Premier League season, much of the focus will be on much-needed incomings. But there is still interest in several of Everton’s remaining players. And here the ECHO takes a look at what is known at this stage of the transfer window.

Two players whose Blues careers are in doubt are Andre Gomes and Jean-Philippe Gbamin. Both were on loan last season and have now entered the final year of their contracts. It is hard see a way back for Gbamin, whose agent has said on several occasions that he does not see a future for the player on Merseyside. Finding a suitable suitor is more likely to be the stumbling block in regards to his exit, rather than a desire for a new start. Gbamin did not travel to France for the pre-season camp due to an injury sustained with Trabzonspor. Gomes did travel but was not involved in the friendly with Stade Nyonnais. The midfielder spent the last campaign at Lille – a move that all parties were pleased with. Lille want to re-sign the former Barcelona player after he revived his career with a successful season in France and a return, even if on loan, would not be a surprise.

Another player who is being courted is Mason Holgate. The defender did not travel to France after picking up a minor injury and he is the subject of interest for clubs including Nottingham Forest and newly-promoted Sheffield United. It is understood Everton would be willing to consider offers for the 26-year-old, who had stints at left-back, right-back and in midfield under Dyche but could not establish himself in the first team last season.

Tom Cannon is facing a big summer with the 20-year-old at the centre of a battle between Republic of Ireland and England over who he should represent on the senior international stage. His eight goals for Championship side Preston North End during the second half of last season was an impressive haul and Preston are working hard to get him back on loan. Sunderland also have an interest but do not believe the club will be able to land the talented striker, who is being looked at by Dyche this pre-season. Cannon started against Nyonnais and the longer Everton go into the summer without attacking reinforcements the more likely it will be that he is tasked with supporting the first team.

Other talented youngsters including centre-back Rhys Welch and winger Stanley Mills are being considered for their first loan moves.

Speculation has surrounded Jordan Pickford’s future with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur both linked to interest. As reported by the ECHO his position – that he is content at Goodison Park – has been clear throughout and was re-iterated when he signed a new deal in February. Spurs have now signed Guglielmo Vicario from Serie A side Empoli and while David de Gea has left Old Trafford, Erik ten Hag appears to be closing in on Inter goalkeeper Andre Onana. Pickford, meanwhile, made his position clear at an invitational event at Royal Liverpool Golf Course on Sunday. Asked whether he expected to be an Everton player when the season began, he told The Athletic: “Definitely. I’ve just signed a new contract and I’m happy and my family is happy so now we just want to move forward as a club.”

The rumour mill has been prolific around another player recently – Demarai Gray. The attacker enjoyed a good run to the Gold Cup semi-finals with Jamaica and is yet to link back up with Dyche and the squad. He is reportedly the interest of clubs in both the Premier League and Saudi Arabia.

Alex Iwobi is also being touted as a target of other clubs. Iwobi has entered the final year of his deal and has not signed a new contract despite talks having been ongoing since last autumn. He did start in Switzerland on Friday, though. Serious bids for either player would pose an issue for the Blues. While the club is in need of sales to boost the transfer budget it cannot leave itself exposed by gambling on agreeing to exits without having replacements lined up.