Everton believe that fellow Premier League team Aston Villa are favourites to sign one of their transfer targets this summer. Burnley winger Dwight McNeil is a target for both Aston Villa and Everton. The Telegraph claimed that the Burnley player will likely leave his team this summer if a £40m bid is lodged for him.
Everton have a new manager in Spanish tactician Rafael Benitez. Benitez was named the Everton boss a few weeks ago. The Toffees had been without a manager for several weeks after former manager Carlo Ancelotti left the club earlier this summer. Italian tacticanAncelottileft Everton to return to Real Madrid for his second spell with the Spanish La Liga giants.
Benitez is a big fan of Burnley winger McNeil and various reports in the media claimed that Everton are prepared to offer £25m for himbut the bid is expected to receive a negative response from the Clarets.
Apart from Everton, Aston Villa are also interested in McNeil as established earlier and they are favourites to sign the Burnley winger. Villa could beat Everton to the signing of McNeil just like what was obtainable with the Buendia deal
Aston Villa are one of the most active Premier League teams in this summer’s transfer window. Villa have already signed Argentine player Emiliano Buendia after they saw off North London giants Arsenal in the race to sign him. Aston Villa paid £33m to secure the signing of Buendia from newly promoted team Norwich City. The Gunners also tried to sign Buendiaonly to be beaten to his transfer by Villa.