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Roma star linked with Everton

By Matt Townsend

ROME, ITALY - FEBRUARY 23: Lorenzo Pellegrini of AS Roma controls the ball during the Serie A match between AS Roma and US Lecce at Stadio Olimpico on February 23, 2020 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Giampiero Sposito/Getty Images)
ROME, ITALY - FEBRUARY 23: Lorenzo Pellegrini of AS Roma controls the ball during the Serie A match between AS Roma and US Lecce at Stadio Olimpico on February 23, 2020 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Giampiero Sposito/Getty Images) /
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Obviously given the suspension of games because of the Coronavirus there isn’t a lot going on in the Premier League at the moment. Still the transfer rumours continue apace and Everton are today linked with a move for the Roma midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini.

Pellegrini is a 23-year-old who has had an up and down season with the Rome club. Now the Italian media (them again!) are claiming Everton are one of several clubs interested in securing his services this summer.

Apparently Roma are looking to reduce the cost of his transfer clause and that has alerted other clubs to the possibility he might be available at a more reasonable price.

Pellegrini is a fine attacking player with many qualities and actually his best position seems to be playing wide on the left.

However he doesn’t seem to have the defensive attributes that I assume would be important for a new signing being considered by the Blues in a central midfield role alongside Andre Gomes.

That’s of course assuming Carlo Ancelotti is penciling in Gomes as one of his first-choice midfielders and is then looking for a suitable partner for him.

I would imagine that the type of player more ideal would be a defensive, box-to-box player who can replace the energy and work rate of Idrissa Gueye. If that player can also add something to the Toffees attacking play, then that’s all the better.

Given all that and the potential complications in terms of his contract, it would appear there are other better and more affordable options out there for Everton.

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Anyway it’s all probably just rumours and stories to keep us entertained as we wile away the days waiting and hoping for the return of professional football.

In other news, it’s being reported that Everton left-back Leighton Baines wants another year-long extension to his contract. The 35-year-old ex-England player has generally been very good this season when he has played, and I think he deserves a contract extension.

Baines is still fit enough, has plenty of pace and can provide all that experience and defensive nous that the Blues defence so often seems to lack. So having him available again he will give Ancelotti more options next season.

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