Everton eyeing another backup option for Gylfi Sigurdsson

Everton are reportedly considering making a move for Jean Seri, if they are unable to complete a deal for Gylfi Sigurdsson.

As the Gyfli Sigurdsson saga drags on, we’ve suggested Everton need to bite the bullet and just pay the £50 million Swansea City are asking for. At this point, what’s another £5 million between ‘friends’?

However, if the Blues decide to stick to their guns and not pay any more, what will they do? They still ideally need to bring on board another midfielder, to help strengthen the squad.

In that respect, Everton do apparently have at least one alternative. As reported by The Guardian‘s Ed Aarons, they are considering Jean Seri as a backup option, if a deal for Sigrudsson does not come to fruition.

The question is, what do we know about Seri? For a start, he is currently playing in France for Nice, and is coming off a season, where he scored six goals, added nine assists and completed over 89 percent of his passes, in 40 appearances.

Before going to Nice in 2015, the 26-year-old previously spent time in Portugal, with FC Porto (playing for their reserve team) and Paços de Ferreira. In respect of his professional career as a whole, the 2016/17 campaign was easily his best to date.

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In terms of Seri’s scouting report, World of Football list his strengths as passing, vision, agility and long shots. His only weakness is his lack of strength in the air, although this can be covered for, especially when considering the rest of his game.

It is also worth noting the Grand-Béréby native has international experience with the Ivory Coast. He made his senior level debut in 2015 and has gone on to play 14 times.

If Everton do end up turning their attention to Seri, the biggest competition will come from Arsenal. Aarons writes that the Gunners are still favorites to sign him, with £36 million reportedly the magic number needed, to trigger his release clause.

From our perspective, the Blues should still stump up the extra £5 million needed to secure Sigrudsson. However, if they do decide against this, Seri certainly makes for an intriguing alternative.

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Understandably, the preference for most Evertonians, is to sign Sigruddson. However, if the deal fails to materialise, what is your opinion of Seri as a backup option? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.