da gbg bet： Everton find themselves eternally trapped in the rather unique purgatory between England’s top clubs and the best of the rest in the Premier League.
da betsul： Indeed, they’ve been knocking on the door of Champions League qualification for over a decade, but have thus far breached the top four barrier just once during the Premier League era.
Over the last few years, chairman Bill Kenwright has lapsed his hold of the purse strings somewhat, allowing Roberto Martinez to record the first and third most expensive signings in Goodison history – Romelu Lukaku and James McCarthy respectively,
And it could require a little more bravery in the transfer market for the Toffees to finally crush that glass ceiling; especially after an exceptionally disappointing 2014/15 campaign.
So with that in mind, Football Fancast have created a list of FIVE ‘transfer coups’ the Merseysiders should attempt this summer – essentially, players seemingly beyond their means for footballing or financial reasons, who might be more interest in a Goodison switch than many would expect.
Could the Toffees land one of these FIVE this summer?
Angelo Ogbonna
There aren’t too many former Champions League finalists currently in Everton’s squad so Juventus defender Angelo Ogbonna would certainly be an exciting addition.
The occasional Azzurri international comes highly rated in Italy, predominantly due to his spate of impressive campaigns at former club Torino, and is a particularly physical defender, blessed with an imposing 6 foot 3 frame and a phenomenal recovery speed.
But he’s widely expected to leave the Old Lady this summer, having spent the last two seasons as a bit-part player and managing just 18 Serie A starts since the appointment of Massimo Allegri at the start of the 2014/15 campaign.
A ten-cap international with two Serie A titles under his belt and some decent exposure in the European competitions, he’d add quality and experience to the Toffees’ backline.
Everton have already been linked with the 28 year-old; but Liverpool and Tottenham are also known admirers.
JEFFERSON FARFAN
Schalke star Jefferson Farfan may not offer Everton much longevity at the age of 30, but he’s a well-proven and potent wideman who would undoubtedly improve Roberto Martinez’ options on the flanks.
Indeed, Farfan boasts a career return of 153 goals in 490 appearances throughout his spells with Alianza Lima, PSV Eindhoven and the Miners, reaching the 20-goal mark in two consecutive Eredivisie campaigns.
Injuries have plagued him over the last few seasons but if the Peruvian winger – who has amassed an impressive 17 goals and 63 caps for his country – can revive that goalscoring form at Goodison, he’ll become an intrinsic element of the Toffees’ attack.
Furthermore, Farfan is reportedly keen to find a new challenge ahead of next season and with his Miners contract set to expire in 2016, the Bundesliga outfit could be forced to sell on the cheap.
EVER BANEGA
Argentina international Ever Banega has been linked with a Premier League move for much of his career, but it could finally come into fruition this summer with just one season remaining on his Sevilla contract.
The 26 year-old has just come to the end of a decent season at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, bagging three goals and three assists in 23 La Liga starts whilst featuring prominently as Sevilla recorded a second consecutive Europa League title.
Everton’s engine room has undergone a bit of an overhaul since Roberto Martinez’ appointment in summer 2013, since signing the likes of Gareth Barry, James McCarthy, Mohamed Besic and Tom Cleverley, and Banega would be another impressive acquisition.
He’s a hardworking yet mobile and fluid playmaker, which should see him perform rather well under the Spaniard’s tiki-taka inspired philosophy.
The Albiceleste star is keen to stay on at Sevilla next season – but a bid around the £10million mark could well convince the La Liga outfit to sell.
ADRIEN RABIOT
Another potential midfield addition who would be perfect for Everton’s possession-based style. PSG’s Adrien Rabiot may not be a household name just yet but he’s widely regarded as one of the most exciting young talents in European football.
Indeed, the 20 year-old boasts 39 caps for France across the junior levels and already has 65 Ligue 1 appearances under his belt, helping the Parisians claim three consecutive league titles.
He’s a gangly deep-lying playmaker of the Michael Carrick mould, this season averaging 2.3 tackles and 2.5 interceptions per-match in Ligue 1 whilst recording a pass completion rate of 89%.
But Rabiot is concerned his progress could come become stifled by a lack of regular starts at PSG, this season managing just ten domestically and two more in the Champions League, leaving his mother and agent to be fairly vocal about a summer departure.
Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham have all shown an interest in the past, but guarantees of first team football could convince the prodigious playmaker into a Goodison switch instead.
LOIC REMY
Some flash opportunism saw Everton land Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku last summer and now they have the chance to repeat the feat again with Loic Remy.
The France international is a fantastic goal-scorer, boasting 27 goals in 63 appearances throughout his Premier League tenures with QPR, Newcastle and the Blues, but continually finds himself overlooked by the division’s top clubs and in regards to last season, Jose Mourinho.
No doubt, however, the 28 year-old is a one-in-two man, whilst his frightening pace and ability to drift wide has a knack of tearing Premier League defences apart.
He’d offer an important contrast to the more old-fashioned No.9 styles of Romelu Lukaku and would overall give Everton one of the most formidable strike forces in the league.
With Radamel Falcao expected to sign for the west Londoners as soon as he returns from the Copa America, there’s been plenty of rumours suggesting Remy will resultantly request an abrupt Stamford Bridge departure.
Chelsea are reluctant to see him go, however, and have landed the Frenchman with a £15million price-tag.