Fabrizio Romano reveals Everton 'target' close to joining Premier League club after stunning Juventus swap-deal

Everton target Samuel Iling-Junior is being linked with a move to Aston Villa in a swap deal involving multiple players.

The Toffees have been linked with the young English attacker across the past six months as a lower-cost option to rejuvenate their wide areas. Having developed in Chelsea’s academy from the ages of eight until 17, he left for Juventus and broke into the first-team in 2022.

Everton have been linked with multiple attacking targets and with the exit of Arnaut Danjuma, they have even less depth, especially in the wide areas. Loanee Jack Harrison has also returned to Leeds United after his successful loan spell and while talks are reportedly ongoing about a potential return, it means they are lacking out wide.

Iling-Junior has been a rotation option and started just four games in the league and played less than 1000 minutes across all competitions. And yet, he is being linked with a move to Aston Villa in what is an interesting swap deal involving multiple players changing directions. According to Fabrizio Romano, Iling-Junior could be included with cash and Weston McKennie for Douglas Luiz to head to Juventus.

He wrote on X, ‘Understand Samuel Iling Jr is keen on joining Aston Villa, as he can be included in the swap deal with Juventus for Douglas Luis as revealed yesterday. Talks are underway for Iling Jr, Weston McKennie plus cash to #AVFC and Douglas Luiz to join Juventus.’

Everton were credited with an interest in March but several clubs including West Ham, Brighton and Tottenham were also linked. Given he is valued around £10m (€12m) on Transfermarkt - and his deal is set to expire next summer - he looked to be a relative bargain target for Everton but the presence of Villa will certainly elevate his stock.

Having already broken into the England U21 side, he is someone who could be set for a move either this summer or the next - and Everton may be about to miss out.