Everton: Plan B ready if Arsenal don’t sell Olivier Giroud
By Paul Taylor
Everton reportedly have a couple of intriguing alternative forward options lined up, if they can’t persuade Arsenal to sell Olivier Giroud.
Everton may have boosted their forward line recently with the signings of Sandro Ramirez and Wayne Rooney, but they haven’t finished there. After losing Romelu Lukaku and his 25 league goals from last season, they want to have as many worthwhile striking options as possible.
As we reported recently, Everton’s other main interest is apparently Olivier Giroud. However, there are conflicting reports on whether the French international will choose coming to Merseyside, even if he does leave Arsenal.
With this in mind, the Blues need other targets, if their pursuit of Giroud fails. As reported by the Daily Mail‘s Simon Jones, they’re covered in this area, with two alternative possibilities.
The first is Christian Benteke, who scored 17 goals during his first season with Crystal Palace. However, there are a couple of reasons to believe he is unlikely to leave Selhurst Park.
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Jones writes that the former Liverpool striker is happy in London and looking for a new home there. Also, would Crystal Palace be willing to part company with Benteke, just one year after paying £27 million to sign him?
As things stand, it is understood Everton have yet to contact the Eagles. In any event, it’s tough to imagine them selling the 26-year-old, who has three years remaining on his contract.
Talking of tough sells, the Blues’ second backup option is another player who they would have a hard time signing. As reported by Jones, they are also considering making a move for Edin Dzeko.
Dzeko is familiar with Everton, from his time at Manchester City. Between 2011-15, he scored 72 goals for the Manchester side, including 50 in the Premier League.
The Bosnian then moved to Roma on a loan deal in August 2015, which became permanent in October of the same year. He is coming off a sensational season where he set a club record, with 39 goals in all competitions.
In this respect, why would Roma even contemplate selling Dzeko? Certainly, it would take a considerable offer from Everton to make the Italian side sit up and take notice.
The irony in all this, is you can make a justifiable argument for Benteke and Dzeko both being better options than Giroud. Regardless, any one of the trio would represent an excellent coup for the Toffees.
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Put yourself in Everton’s position. Which of the three forward options mentioned in this article would you most like to see them sign? Explain who and why, in the comments section below.