Everton supremo Marcel Brands doubts Premier League target Steven Bergwijn is worth the money

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It looks as though Steven Bergwijn is a wanted man. The Dutch international, according to The Sun, is wanted by Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

The report claims he could be worth £25 million. With a record of 10 goals and nine assists this season, it is easy to see why that might be the case.

But immediately Everton fans might be wondering why they are not in the hunt. Director of football Marcel Brands will know him from their time together in Eindhoven. Everton could certainly use another, better, wide option than they currently have on the right.

At a price of £25 million, he also seems like good value for money.

However, the Everton supremo has seemingly made his feelings quite clear on this matter. He would not consider paying that much for Bergwijn, who he feels would ‘find it very difficult’ to adapt at a top Premier League team straight away. He used the experiences of Naby Keita at Liverpool as an example, in conversation with Voetbal International.

“I think that if Hirving Lozano and Steven Bergwijn in the Premier League go directly to the absolute top, they will find it very difficult.

“Look at (Naby) Keita at Liverpool. He was collected for more than €50m from Leipzig, but he’s just on the bench.

“€30m for Hirving and €20m for Steven, we are not going to pay that…

“If Lozano would cost €20m, I would consider it, at higher rates we are looking at players who have already proven it in the Premier League or in another big league.”

– Marcel Brands on potentially signing Steven Bergwijn

It seems that Everton’s transfer policy now is to look for players who have proven they can perform in La Liga, Serie A or the Bundesliga – which would account for the signatures of Richarlison, Andre Gomes and Lucas Digne in the summer.

Whilst Manchester United and Tottenham can do battle for the pair, Everton clearly will not be involved. Perhaps the Premier League giants should heed the Everton man’s advice.