For the first time in eight seasons, there is a different manager in the dugout at Goodison Park. Former Wigan Athletic Manager, Roberto Martinez has been appointed as the new manager, and has already started strengthening his squad by bringing in three former Wigan players. With a host of players linked with moves away from the club, here’s a look at some of the transfer targets that the Toffees have been linked with.
Alessandro Matri
With Nikica Jelavic reportedly the subject of a bid from German club Hamburg, new Toffees boss Martinez is keen to bolster his Frontline. The Spaniard knows he needs a reliable scorer – midfielder Marouane Fellaini was Everton’s top scorer last term with 12 goals in all competitions – and Italy international Alessandro Matri is a target. The 28-year-old could be available for transfer after Juve completed the signing of Carlos Tevez, while the series A champions are also reportedly chasing Swansea’s Michu. Talks between Everton and Juventus are already open, although the Merseysiders are unwilling to match £12m valuation. The player himself reportedly wants an annual salary of £2.6m, which is 20 percent more than he currently earns in Turin.
Likelihood: 3.5/5
Jorginho
Everton are in the market for a midfield player, and the exciting, young and gifted Jorginho would certainly fit well with Roberto Martinez’ footballing philosophy. However, it remains uncertain as to whether Everton could afford to pay such a significant transfer fee without first selling Marouane Fellaini. Jorginho is not a prolific goal scorer, with just a handful of goal (4) in 73 appearances for Hellas Verona. At 5’11” and a little on the lean side, Jorginho is not as physically well-built as a number of Premier League players, but has a strong technique and is a gifted ball player. He is rated very highly by the Italian media and almost joined AC Milan in the January transfer window, only for the Rossoneri to balk at the asking price.
Likelihood: 3/5
Clement Chantome
Everton are preparing a deal to sign Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Clement Chantome this week, according to some media reports. Chantome is seen as the defensive midfielder who will replace the potentially outgoing Marouane Fellaini this summer, who has been linked with a move to Arsenal, but the London club are unwilling to meet the £23million release clause. The Toffee’s are understood to be readying a bid of around £6million for the midfielder, who helped guide PSG to the French title last season. The 25-year old midfielder has only one France international cap to his name, and is a renowned passer of the ball, with the highest success rate in all of France last season, which would be attractive to new manager Roberto Martinez, who will undoubtedly look to change the club’s image next year to a more on the deck style of play, moving away from Moyes’ physical brand of football.
Likelihood: 4/5
James McCarthy
Roberto Martinez would relish the chance to add the talented 22-year-old to his squad, but Tottenham’s interest is likely to push the talented Republic of Ireland international out of Everton’s price range. Spurs chairman Daniel Levy was believed to have already inquired about McCarthy, and will not be deterred by a prospective £20m price tag, with a player-plus-cash deal expected to be in the pipeline. The Latics star man is much in demand, with Liverpool inquiring about him in the past and Fulham and Manchester City also monitoring him this summer. Wigan know that they will be hard-pressed to keep McCarthy in the Championship, but with a lucrative auction likely to develop, Everton probably will have to look elsewhere.
Likelihood: 2/5
Guilherme Siqueira
Everton is reportedly facing stiff competition in their attempts to land Granada star Guilherme Siqueira, with Real Madrid reportedly having opened negotiations with the Spanish side to bring the 27-year-old to the Bernabéu. Speculation still surrounds their English international Leighton Baines, who’s been linked with a £18 million reunion with new Manchester United boss David Moyes. Siqueira scored 12 league goals over the last two seasons in Granada, catching the attention of some big clubs in Europe and according to reports, the left-back could be prized away for around £7m, with the Toffees was failing already with a transfer offer worth around £3m.
Likelihood: 3.5/5
Scott Sinclair
This is the latest name to be linked with a move to the blue half of Merseyside, with Everton manager Roberto Martinez hopes to take the out-of-favor winger Scott Sinclair from Manchester City on a season-long loan, with a view to making the move permanent. The 24-year-old is not thought to figure in Man City’s future plans after a disappointing first season at the Etihad following a £6.2m move from Swansea last summer, and Sinclair would be the type of player who can add quality to the squad without great financial risk, and would offer much better value than the £10 million Chelsea are asking for Victor Moses.
Likelihood: 4.5/5