Everton link to Turkish full-back
After letting Djibril Sidibe leave following the end of his loan spell, Everton have been linked with a move for Turkish right-back Mehmet Zeki Celik.
The story has surfaced in the Daily Mail and Times, who claim that Everton are ahead of Premier League rivals Tottenham in the race for the Lille defender.
The article says that the Blues have moved quickly to try and seal a deal for the Turkish international before Spurs do so.
This in itself is refreshing to hear, as I do think that in past transfer windows, the Toffees have appeared slow to move for the players they supposedly want. So if indeed they are serious about the player and are moving quickly to sign him, then I guess that is positive to hear.
So who is Celik? The 23-year-old seems to be a pretty solid defensive player who has featured for a Lille team that has enjoyed a fine season in the French Ligue 1.
He plays in the same defence as a player that Everton have long been assumed to be pursuing; Gabriel Magahales.
Celik doesn’t seem to be a very attack-minded player, and is quite different a full-back from Sidibe so wouldn’t offer as much going forward as last season’s loan signing.
So bringing him in, would mean that Everton weren’t looking for the same amount of attacking production from whoever plays at right-back.
We’ve recently looked in depth at the possible full-back options for the Blues as they search for another option alongside Seamus Coleman.
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Right-back has been a problem position for a long time now, ever since Coleman’s injuries began his decline from his earlier levels of performance.
There are a number of potential players who Everton might consider, especially from those clubs who have just relegated from the Premier League.
Another of those who might be in the frame, could be Jonjo Kenny, who has returned to Goodison Park from his loan spell last season in Germany at Schalke 04.
It does seem as though there are continuing doubts as to whether Kenny won’t be the long-term successor to Coleman.
Although right-back isn’t perhaps the most important position to be addressed in this transfer window, with Sidibe back in Monaco and Kenny’s future still uncertain, it seems that the Blues will have to look for another player to bring in.
So the Toffees are looking for another player to provide that competition for Coleman and perhaps replace him, either immediately or in the longer-term.