Everton: Swansea ace wanted; French star linked; creative target staying put

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The Telegraph are today reporting that Everton have expressed an interest in signing Swansea City midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson. The Toffees are apparently set to bid £25 million for the Icelandic international, who starred for his country in this summer’s European Championships. Sigurdsson started all five games as his country knocked out England on the way to reaching the quarter-finals of the competition.

Following the appointment of Steve Walsh as the club’s director of football yesterday, he and Koeman are reportedly compiling a list of transfer targets, with Sigurdsson being the name at the top of that list. The 26-year-old has been one of Swansea’s most consistent performers since his move from Tottenham Hotspur in 2014 and his departure would be a huge loss to the Swans as they prepare for the new season.

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As for Everton, Sigurdsson would challenge Ross Barkley for the central role behind the strikers. Whilst it would be disappointing to see the Wavertree-born player pushed down the pecking order, the increased competition may do him the world of good. Although one of the Toffees best players, Barkley didn’t push on as was expected under Roberto Martinez and at 22 now is the time to prove he can be the key man for his boyhood club.

Meanwhile, a report in the Guardian suggests that the Merseysiders are competing with Italian champions Juventus for the signing of Newcastle United’s Moussa Sissoko. The player is valued at around £35 million by the Magpies but it is believed that Everton are willing to meet that price in order to win the race for the Frenchman.

The 26-year old midfielder was surprisingly impressive for France during Euro 2016 and with his current side gearing up for a season in the Championship, it is believed that Sissoko is eager to move on in the coming weeks. With Paul Pogba heavily linked with a move away from Juve, the Old Lady are lining up a replacement in the event of their star man leaving. They look to have turned their attentions towards his fellow countryman, Sissoko, and the fact that they can tempt the player with the offer of Champions League football surely makes them favourites for his signature.

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The reported interest in both Sigurdsson and Sissoko appears to suggest that Koeman is in the market for an attacking midfielder. Whilst Sissoko appears to be one of the players of the moment, Sigurdsson has been the more consistently impressive of the pair over the last few seasons and may offer the better value for money in the long run.

Finally, Everton have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Manchester United midfield Juan Mata after Jose Mourinho said that there is space for the Spaniard at Old Trafford and that he expects the player to fight for his place in the side.

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It was originally feared that Mata would have to leave United after the arrival of the man who froze him out at Chelsea a few years ago. However, Mourinho’s latest comments suggest that he does not have a personal vendetta against the player and that he will be given the opportunity to prove himself. Everton were one of a number of clubs linked with Mata, but it appears as though the move will not be happening any time soon as the 28-year-old still appears to be a part of Mourinho’s future plans with United.

Featured image: all rights reserved by Sharon Cadden