Everton endured a wobbly start to the 2024/25 campaign on Saturday as Sean Dyche watched his side lose 3-0 against Brighton at Goodison Park.
The concerning display suggests that the Toffees could still do with signing a new face or two as we enter the final days of the summer transfer window – which ends on Friday 30th August.
Now – however – a player who is actually already familiar with life at Goodison Park is close to joining Everton on a free transfer…
Everton in talks to sign Asmir Begovic
Sky Sports reporter Mark McAdam has now revealed that Everton are in talks to bring Asmir Begovic back to Goodison Park.
The 37-year-old is currently a free agent after leaving Queens Park Rangers back in May.
It comes after The Sun claimed that Julen Lopetegui wanted West Ham to sign Begovic earlier this summer – before a deal for Wes Foderingham was completed instead.
UPDATE: Alex Crook of talkSPORT has since added that Everton will be signing Begovic, with the deal almost done.
The Bosnia international made ten appearances for Everton between 2021 and 2023 after initially joining on a free transfer following his exit from Bournemouth in July 2021 – keeping four clean sheets while conceding 17 goals in total.
Sean Dyche is lacking an experienced glovesman to compete against Jordan Pickford, with only the 24-year-old Joao Virginia in reserve, along with another inexperienced 24-year-old in Billy Crellin, and 22-year-old Harry Tyrer.
Sensible – but underwhelming – signing
While this deal is hardly going to excite many Everton fans after Saturday’s 3-0 defeat, it does make a lot of sense from Kevin Thelwell, Director of Football at Goodison Park.
As things stand, alarm bells would be ringing if Pickford were to suffer a serious injury, so an experienced, reliable glovesman is certainly needed.
Begovic is that and more, keeping 65 clean sheets in 256 Premier League appearances, while also winning 63 caps for Bosnia throughout his impressive career.
Furthermore, the man from Trebinje knows the club – so he should have no issues settling in at Everton.
Be sure to keep an eye on this situation, as a deal could be wrapped up quite quickly given the fact Begovic is currently a free agent.