Gylfi Sigurdsson’s future in serious doubt as Everton eye £46.8 million rated midfielder

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 16: Gylfi Sigurdsson of Everton looks on during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Everton and Salford City at Goodison Park on September 16, 2020 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 16: Gylfi Sigurdsson of Everton looks on during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Everton and Salford City at Goodison Park on September 16, 2020 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images)

Everton are tracking Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli.

The January transfer window is generally for teams to bring reinforcements mainly due to a long term injury layoff in the team or simply to add some depth because a particular plan has failed to work out.

Strategic additions generally take place during the summer transfer window. Everton are in a situation where one particular plan has miserably failed and hence Carlo Ancelotti could be looking in the market to rectify a few things in the team.

When Ancelotti signed Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure, they were expected to supplement and improve their midfield partner Andre Gomes or Gylfi Sigurdsson. However, the Iceman and the Portuguese have struggled big time despite having colossal match winners and impact makers around them. Gomes has had injury concerns which have disrupted his rhythm, massively impacting his displays.

On the other hand, Sigurdsson has been even more underwhelming. His creative slump has left Everton without a secondary playmaker in the team, someone who could share the duties with James Rodriguez. The 31 year old seems to be reaching the end of his shelf life at Goodison and needs to be replaced. Last season we became sure that Sigurdsson cannot be a regular starter in the team.

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According to Football Insider, Everton are eyeing a move for Tottenham Hotspur star Dele Alli. The Englishman has slipped down the pecking order under Jose Mourinho, making just 2 Premier League appearances and a total of 7 outings in the Spurs shirt. The report mentions that the Toffees are tracking Harry Winks and Paulo Gazzaniga along with Alli.

The 24 year old has seen his stock and form deteriorate at a shocking rate due to the lack of playing time under Mourinho. This has prompted in the rise of reports suggesting the midfielder’s exit. Last season, Alli was one of the most important pieces in the Tottenham jigsaw, scoring 9 goals, providing 6 assists in 38 games.

Everton have been credited with an interest but it seems to be a product of the rumour mill. The Toffees has had a strong start and despite recent hiccups, Ancelotti’s side is considered a contender for European football. Spurs, on the other hand, lead the Premier League table.

Early signs suggest, Everton are no longer a side fighting for mid table finishes which makes them a direct competitor to Spurs. It wouldn’t make a lot of sense to allow one of your strongest midfielders join rivals, even if the player is not in the manager’s immediate plans.

Even if the Alli link seems to be a bit of a stretch, it is a sign that Sigurdsson’s place is in real trouble. Everton are getting linked to a new midfielder on a daily basis, which doesn’t really aid Sigurdsson’s case. Sooner or later, a new midfielder is going to arrive putting the Iceman’s future in serious doubt.