Football

5 players who Everton could sign in summer transfer window


Carlo Ancelotti has transformed Everton’s fortunes since his arrival on Merseyside in December.

Before the season was halted due to the coronavirus outbreak, the Italian had turned the club’s season from one to forget into a potential challenge for Europa League qualification.

However, this summer, he will want the backing of the Everton board to bring in players of his own as he looks to build his own team before tackling his first full season at the club.

Replacing the remnants of several failed managerial tenures, which still feature prominently in Everton’s squad, with players of his own choosing will be a priority.

We look at five players who could be on Carlo’s shopping list if and when the transfer window opens again…


Allan

The Napoli midfielder was a favourite of Ancelotti’s during his time in southern Italy.

Several outlets reported in January that Ancelotti had made contact with Allan and was eyeing up a move for the midfielder.

Capable of playing as a deep-lying playmaker, with excellent defensive and tactical sensibilities, Allan was part of Brazil’s 2019 Copa América-winning side and could bring some much needed steel to Everton’s midfield.

However, at 29 years-old, he would very much be a short-term fix.

Allan played under Carlo Ancelotti

Djibril Sidibe

Currently on loan at Everton from Monaco, Sidibe has had a mixed season, with his attacking abilities often overshadowed by poor defensive positioning.

The Blues have the option to make his loan deal permanent for £12.5 million in the summer, which, one the face of it, appears to be a good deal to secure a World Cup winner with Champions League experience.

However, with his recent defensive mistakes against Arsenal and Manchester United still fresh in the mind, Everton might be able to do better than to settle for the 27-year-old.

Jonjoe Kenny, who has impressed on loan at Schalke and is four years Sidibe’s junior, is set to return to Goodison this summer and may negate any need to purchase a new right back.

Djibril Sidibe is currently on loan at the Toffees

James Rodriguez

Rodriguez’s career has stalled in recent years and he is not the crucial figure at Real Madrid that he once was.

This paper reported in January that he was linked with loan moves to Arsenal and Everton

The Colombian played under Ancelotti at Real and more recently on loan at Bayern Munich, and would certainly inject some flair into Everton’s team.

One of the stars of the 2014 World Cup, he could do with a career rejuvenation and it is not beyond the realms of possibility that he will turn to his former manager to provide it.

It would certainly be a statement signing that Everton would have struggled to pull off before Ancelotti’s arrival.

James Rodriguez is not getting much game time in Madrid

Geoffrey Kondogbia

Kondogbia has experience across many European leagues, playing for Sevilla, Monaco, Inter Milan and current club Valencia.

The Daily Express reported this month that Everton are interested in the defensive midfielder, but would face competition from Tottenham for his signature.

Central midfield has been a problem area for Everton this season, with Morgan Schneiderlin, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Fabian Delph all criticised for their performances, while summer signing Jean-Philippe Gbamin has barely featured due to injury.

Kondogbia could finally solve the problems caused by Idrissa Gueye’s summer 2019 move to PSG.

Geoffrey Kondogbia is another potential target

Gabriel Magalhaes

In early March, The Independent stated that Everton were in talks to sign Gabriel and the Lille defender would appear to best fit Everton’s transfer policy out of anyone on this list.

He has been a key part of their side this season, and at only 22 years-old, Gabriel would suit Everton Director of Football Marcel Brands’ desired policy of buying young players with lots of potential.

Everton have been in dire need of a centre half since they were unable to turn Kurt Zouma’s loan from Chelsea into a permanent transfer last summer.

With only three first team centre halves at the club, the Toffees will want to bolster their options in the next window, and Gabriel seems one of the most likely candidates.





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