All in all, last season was one to forget for Everton supporters. Roberto Martinez ultimately paid the price for failing to inspire his players and the Toffees slipped down the Premier League table and finished in 11th place.
Now, though, there is a sense of renewed hope and optimism across Merseyside. Ronald Koeman has agreed to become the new manager and reports suggest he may have upwards of £80million to spend in the summer transfer window. Here are three players who the Toffees could target before the upcoming campaign kicks off.
Axel Witsel
The Belgium man would be a fantastic addition to Everton’s midfield, especially if Ross Barkley opts to move on later this summer. Witsel has stood out for all the right reasons at Zenit St Petersburg and looks like he would certainly adapt to life in the Premier League. In a way, he could make a similar impact to that of Marouane Fellaini when he first arrived in England’s top flight.
Witsel is strong, is good on the ball and can pick a pass. These are three traits that suggest he would suit Koeman’s aggressive, dominant style of football. Reports suggest that Witsel could cost Everton a club record fee in excess of £30 million, a staggering sum of money. However, he is well worth it. While he is prone to making the odd mistake and diving into challenges, his physical style will appeal to Everton supporters and he could be an instant hit at Goodison Park.
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Luis Nani
Nani was phenomenal for Fenerbahce last season and the former Manchester United winger could be set for a return to the Premier League. According to reports, Koeman is pushing to make the Portugal star his first signing of the summer and with good reason. He is currently shining at the European Championship and Nani’s pricetag will only rise if he continues to inspire confidence on the international stage.
Nani struggled to hold down a regular spot in United’s starting line-up during his time at Old Trafford, mainly due to his immature style. In fact, it looked like he was trying too hard to emulate compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo at times. However, he could slot in well at Goodison Park and the Portugal star would be a decent asset, whether from the start or off the substitute’s bench.
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Tim Krul
This proposed move makes perfect sense. With Tim Howard leaving the club and Joel Robles’ future up in the air, Koeman needs a goalkeeper, and who better than fellow Dutchman Tim Krul? The Newcastle shot-stopper was brilliant in 2014 but a long-term injury kept him on the sidelines for the majority of last season. Since then, the Magpies have handed Rob Elliot the chance to prove his worth and he grasped that opportunity with both hands.
Although he is now injured, Newcastle may look elsewhere for support between the sticks, especially if Everton are willing to meet Krul’s valuation. Ultimately, Krul is a decent shot-stopper and he could be the man to lead Everton, priced at 7/2 in bet365’s football betting markets, back into the top six. After all, he’s certainly gifted enough…
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiLTAXQLhCo&w=560&h=315]
Source: Evertonians Club