Everton: Does Kevin Gameiro fit the bill up front?
By Paul Taylor
Everton are reportedly interested in Kevin Gameiro, but what are the chances of the French international striker coming to Merseyside in January?
It’s going to be a long three months for Everton fans, especially if the team doesn’t improve their results soon. Full of optimism prior to the season, now its a case of attempting to hang in there until the turn of the year.
At that point, Everton will be able to go back into the transfer market and resolve their most pressing issue – the need for another striker. With a miserly four goals through seven league games, it seems clear the current options are just not good enough.
(Of course, it may also come down to the tactics and line ups being deployed by manager Ronald Koeman. But that’s a matter for another day.)
With this in mind, Olivier Giroud would still seem to be the Blues’ preferred option. However, with contrasting reports on the likelihood of him coming to Merseyside, they need to consider other possibilities.
As per a report from the Echo‘s Joe Rimmer, one such alternative is Kevin Gameiro. Referencing Spanish newspaper Marca, Rimmer writes that Gameiro could become surplus to requirements with Atletico Madrid.
More from Transfer Rumors
- New Ings link as Everton strive for striking reinforcements before window shuts
- Beto deal claimed to be close as Everton face crucial game without a striker
- Everton may bid for Balde as Gnonto hands in transfer request
- Bid for Adams makes sense for Everton in search for more goals
- Everton should move on from Gnonto as confusion reins over player’s future
The reasoning behind this is due to the impending arrival of Diego Costa. The irony of this is Everton apparently made an offer to sign Costa during the summer, but he turned them down, to return to his former team.
Gameiro only joined Atletico Madrid last summer, but played well enough during his first season, with 16 goals and seven assists. However, as noted by Rimmer, he now appears to have fallen out of favour, with just two appearances so far in the 2017/18 campaign.
There is plenty of reason to believe the 30-year-old would be an excellent acquisition for Everton. He is approaching 200 goals at club level, played for PSG and Seveilla, while also having experience at the international level with France.
However, this does not mean Gameiro would come cheap, after reportedly costing Atletico Madrid around £36 million with add-ons. In addition, you imagine there will be stiff competition for a player, who still has just under three years remaining on his current contract.
Next: How much money do fans waste on missed goals?
What is your opinion of Gameiro? Would you like to see Everton sign him, or would you prefer they look elsewhere? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.