Just three days remain of the transfer window remain, so the time is rapidly ticking away for Ronald Koeman to make the last touches to his Everton side for the new season. The Toffees have started well, currently sitting 4th in the Premier League with seven points from a possible nine.
However, if Koeman’s men are to maintain this form across the whole season, then they will need a few more additions before the window slams shut on Wednesday night. The former Southampton boss does not seem to be oblivious to this, with Sky Sports claiming that Everton are in talks with Serie A side Napoli over signing Manolo Gabbiadini.
The report claims that the Italian international; who scored just five times in the league last campaign, is valued at around £25 million by his current club. After missing out on Lucas Perez Martinez, Koeman is desperate to bring in support for Romelu Lukaku up front, but is unlikely that he will be willing to stump up so much money for a player that is not considered a prolific goalscorer.
So far, Everton’s recruits have all been players that have already established themselves in the Premier League. The likes of Idrissa Gueye, Yannick Bolasie and Ashley Williams are all dependable players who can be counted on to hit the ground running. Whilst Gabbiadini does not fit this mould, one man who does is Manchester City’s Wilfried Bony.
Reports in L’Equipe claim that Everton are chasing the Ivorian international, who has been heavily linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium this summer. If the reports are to be believed then a £20 million bid is set to be tabled for the 27-year-old, with Premier League rivals West Ham United also interested in signing the player on loan.
Bony made his name at Vitesse Arnhem in the Dutch Eredivisie, where his prolific form earned him a move to Swansea City. He wasted no time announcing himself in English football either, finding the net 25 times in his first season in South Wales. After continuing in a similar vein the following campaign, Manuel Pellegrini and Manchester City came knocking in January 2015, and Bony eventually moved to the Etihad for an initial £25 million.
However, his time in Manchester has not been a happy one, with just six goals in 36 Premier League appearances, as Bony predominantly played the role of deputy to Sergio Aguero. The emergence of Kelechi Iheanacho appears to have put an end to Bony’s City career and a move away seems to be in the best interests of both parties. If he is able to recapture his form from his Swansea days then he would be a perfect signing for the majority of Premier League clubs.
Meanwhile, there has been progress on the James McCarthy front, with the Irish midfielder reportedly spotted in Glasgow yesterday. This may well be the 25-year-old’s home city, but it is also significant as Celtic have been heavily linked with signing the player this week.
This comes amid reports that Koeman has stated he does intend to allow McCarthy to leave during this transfer window. The player may have fallen out of favour at Goodison Park in recent months but the Toffees are still a little short in this position so a replacement may be required before Wednesday night if McCarthy is to get his move north of the border.
According to the Daily Mirror, Crystal Palace are also thought to be interested in signing the Irish international, with Eagles boss Alan Pardew seeing him as the perfect replacement for the recently departed Mile Jedinak. The report claims that McCarthy’s close friend and former Hamilton Academicals and Wigan Athletic teammate, James McArthur, holds the key to the move, with the prospect of the pair forming another successful midfield partnership at Selhurst Park one that may well give them the edge in the race for the player.
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