Everton associated with loan move for Strootman

ROME, ITALY - NOVEMBER 08: Kevin Strootman of Olympique de Marseille compete for the ball with Valon Berisha of SS Lazio during the UEFA Europa League Group H match between SS Lazio and Olympique de Marseille at Stadio Olimpico on November 8, 2018 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi/Getty Images)
ROME, ITALY - NOVEMBER 08: Kevin Strootman of Olympique de Marseille compete for the ball with Valon Berisha of SS Lazio during the UEFA Europa League Group H match between SS Lazio and Olympique de Marseille at Stadio Olimpico on November 8, 2018 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi/Getty Images)

Today’s transfer rumour centres on a story that Everton, amongst other clubs, have been offered the chance to take Dutch star Kevin Strootman on loan.

Sky Sports claim that Everton are one of three Premier League clubs who have been approached about possibly taking the 29-year-old Netherland’s midfielder from Marseille.

So would Strootman be a worthwhile player to consider?

The Dutchman is primarily a defensive midfielder who is a very consistent and reliable in that role. He is also an accurate passer too. But obviously he doesn’t provide much in an attacking sense.

To be honest given all that Strootman doesn’t seem like the kind of player Everton need to be concentrating on signing. And at his age as well it wouldn’t fit in with the club’s transfer strategy.

The team’s priority should be around a new centre-forward, possibly another right-back and perhaps another centre-back, especially if Kurt Zouma returns to Chelsea.

The Blues also need to concentrate on signing Andre Gomes long-term and preparing for the possibility that Idrissa Gueye might still want to leave as he did last January.

In other transfer stories there have been rumours that German giants Bayern Munich want to sign Henry Onyekuru. This is the latest element to the seemingly never-ending saga of the Nigerian forward’s future.

After two seasons on loan, first in Belgium and now in Turkey, it doesn’t look as though Marco Silva is that keen to bring him finally to the club even if his seemingly endless work permit issues were to be resolved.

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So it’s just possible that the Blues might decide to sell him. This would be a bit of strange decision for me.

I don’t understand why, if the Toffees have paid the money for him, they wouldn’t bring him to Merseyside at last. He’s a player with terrific pace and a decent goal-scoring record to boot. Although he tends to play wide he can also go operate through the middle too.

This might help Everton in their quest for more quality options up front going into the new season.

If Onyekuru came and was able to provide that additional attacking threat it would give the Blues boss further options, if say Richarlison or Bernard was injured. And especially given the unconvincing form of players like Theo Walcott and Ademola Lookman in those wide attacking roles.