Everton boss Ronald Koeman says Gylfi Sigurdsson deal 'close' as Olivier Giroud remains coy over future

Everton manager Ronald Koeman revealed that the Toffees are finally "close" to completing the signing of Swansea City attacker Gylfi Sigurdsson and may be encouraged by Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud's decision to remain coy over his future.

Everton have been pursuing a deal for Sigurdsson for most of the summer transfer window, but a deal for the Iceland international is not yet complete – with less than a week to go before their Premier League opener against Stoke City.

The 27-year-old playmaker has made Swansea aware of his desire to join Everton and has missed the bulk of the south Wales outfit's pre-season matches due to speculation over his future.

Both Koeman and Swansea manager Paul Clement have made it known that they want Sigurdsson's future to be resolved as soon as possible, and the former Southampton manager revealed that the end of the saga is now in sight.

Speaking after Everton's final pre-season friendly against Sevilla on Sunday (6 August), Koeman told Sky Sports News: "We are close [on Sigurdsson], we have to wait. But still, the deal is not done."

Sigurdsson may end up costing Everton around £50m (€55.3m), but Koeman is desperate to see fresh faces follow the former Tottenham star through the Goodison door before the end of the transfer window, reiterating once again that he is still on the the lookout for a versatile central defender, a striker and a winger.

Many believe Sigurdsson is the "winger" that Koeman is referring to, but with the lack of specialist widemen and pace in the Everton squad, the Dutchman and director of football Steve Walsh may have seen the need to add four new additions to the already much-changed squad on Merseyside. The Toffees have been linked with a move for Leicester City attacker Demarai Gray, who is also attracting interest from Spurs and Bournemouth.

"Everybody knows we are looking for three more players – a left centre-back, a left full-back, a player who can play out of both positions, a winger and a striker and that's the picture, what the best is for our team and we will see what we can do." Koeman added.

Everton have been linked with moves for Crystal Palace's Christian Benteke and Roma forward Edin Dzeko this summer, but it is believed Koeman's top striking target is Giroud.

The 30-year-old France international had to make do with a peripheral role in north London last season and could face a similar fate if he decides to remain at Arsenal for the current campaign, with club-record signing Alexandre Lacazette certain to be Arsene Wenger's preferred choice to spearhead his side's attack.

Giroud is Didier Deschamps' first-choice to lead the line for France, but with the 2018 World Cup in Russia looming the former Montpellier hitman may have to seek pastures new in order to remain as the focal point for Les Bleus.

When asked about his future after Arsenal's victory over Chelsea in the Community Shield Giroud gave little away, telling French outlet SFR Sport: "I am an Arsenal player. I have a two-year contract, at least."