Everton inch closer to Allan deal

More on a long running Everton story, this time detailing the latest moves by the club to secure the signature of the Napoli midfielder Allan.

The Daily Express claim that Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti is ramping up his pursuit of the Brazilian midfielder whom he used to manage before taking over at Goodison Park.

The paper say that the Toffees manager has begun talks with Allan’s representatives over a possible £35 million transfer once the window opens.

We have seen this story again and again of course and the constant repetition of it might make you believe that perhaps there is something substantial in it, or maybe not..?

Anyway as we’ve said before, the Brazil player has a number of excellent attributes and would on paper, represent a considerable step up in quality over the existing options in central midfield.

He offers plenty of experience, solid defensive strength and energy in the middle and would also be able to contribute considerably to the Toffees attacking play as well.

Players like Morgan Schneiderlin or Gylfi Sigurdsson, are just not good enough to help the Blues make the next step up and both of them have certainly had their best days at Everton.

There are several promising youngsters in the youth system as well, but of course promise doesn’t always translate into Premier League quality and the club need players who can deliver now.

However, Allan’s age, the fee being quoted, and whether he might prove to be a player on the decline who the Toffees sign just as he begins that downturn, are the key questions to consider.

This last issue is something Everton have to be particularly wary of as there have been plenty of examples of the Blues signing a well-regarded player who’s form promptly evaporates leaving the club with an over-priced and expensive flop.

The fact too that Napoli manager Genaro Gattuso hasn’t been giving Allan much game-time recently since he took over from Ancelotti, makes you wonder about this and also whether the player possibly has an attitude problem?

Ancelotti does seem very determined to get the Brazilian player to England, and he obviously knows him well, so perhaps any attitude issues would be resolved by that relationship.

Then finally there is the question of whether he would be able to adapt to the unique challenges of the English game.

One thing that would probably help is the fact Everton have several Brazilians on the books already and might have another one or two if the stories about Thiago Silva or Gabriel are true.

Given all these variables, it’s a difficult to know for sure whether this would be the right signing, but then that’s often true of many transfer deals these days.

I suppose if Everton really are closing in on a deal, we have to trust that Ancelotti knows what he is doing and that he will be proved right about the Brazilian.

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Sticking with relevant stories about central midfielders, there are reports today that Southampton have stripped Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg of the Saints captaincy.

The report says that the south coast club have made this move as Hojbjerg has refused to sign a contract extension on his current deal.

As you know, Everton have been repeatedly linked with a summer move for the Denmark international and this might provide further indications that he will be looking to move on.

Southampton might also be more willing to sell him as he only has just over twelve months left on his existing deal.

This fact could also make him much more affordable, as the Saints will have to lower their demands to ensure they get him off the books before that contract runs out and he leaves for free.

If he does leave though I have a feeling Tottenham will be his preferred destination as he says he wants Champions League football and they are more likely to be able to offer that at the moment.