Everton reportedly ‘set to release’ Maarten Stekelenburg at end of the season

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It looks as though this will be Maarten Stekelenburg’s final season at Everton, according to the Liverpool Echo. 

The local source has run a piece this week detailing the contract situation of several Everton first-team stars. 

The Toffees have four big names out of contract at the end of this season. Leighton Baines’ future seems to depend on his own wishes whilst Oumar Niasse and Cuco Martina will not be receiving new deals either. In fact, both men will likely be pushed toward a January exit if Everton can find a buyer. 

But Stekelenburg is perhaps the most interesting of the players involved. The report claims he is ‘set to be released’ next summer after falling to third in the pecking order at Goodison Park. 

TBR’s View

Everton signed Jonas Lossl on a free transfer in the summer and, long-term, it appears the Dane is set to be the alternative option to Jordan Pickford going forward. With talented Portuguese stopper Joel Virginia also on the books, Stekelenburg is not likely to be a necessary option from next summer.

With that in mind, Everton clearly see no reason to keep the one-time World Cup finalist on their books beyond the end of the season. In fact, it was something of a surprise when Everton handed the 37-year-old veteran a new two-year deal last summer. 

If he does move on he will undoubtedly leave with the best wishes of the club. Whilst never excelling on Merseyside, the Ronald Koeman signing has been a trusted option whenever called upon as cover. Hopefully, he has a few more years left in him after he departs the club.