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Zirkzee links resurface Everton ‘in talks’ for him

By Matt Townsend

ALMERE, NETHERLANDS - NOVEMBER 15: (L-R) Joshua Zirkzee of Holland U21, Artsiom Shkurdziuk of Belarus U21 during the U21 Men match between Holland v Belarus at the Yanmar Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Almere Netherlands (Photo by Peter Lous/Soccrates/Getty Images)
ALMERE, NETHERLANDS - NOVEMBER 15: (L-R) Joshua Zirkzee of Holland U21, Artsiom Shkurdziuk of Belarus U21 during the U21 Men match between Holland v Belarus at the Yanmar Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Almere Netherlands (Photo by Peter Lous/Soccrates/Getty Images) /
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Reports have emerged today claiming Everton are ‘locked in talks’ with German giants Bayern Munich over a loan deal this month for young striker Joshua Zirkzee.

We’ve reported on this story before and now the online media outlet Sportslens.com are quoting Sky Sports and claiming the Toffees are discussing a deal with the Bundesliga champions regarding the young Dutch forward.

Sky Sports are not the most reliable source for sure! And anyway all this seems highly doubtful given that Blues Director of Football Marcel Brands has been publicly quoted saying he doesn’t expect the club to make any signings in January.

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Now that statement could be interpreted to mean no permanent signings and therefore leaving the door slightly open to possible loan deals, or it might mean no new faces at all this month.

At any rate the article goes on to say that the two clubs are discussing terms and that a deal might happen before the current transfer window shuts in a few weeks time.

They also claim that the main sticking point is a clause the Germans want to insert forcing Everton to buy the 19-year-old for about £10 million at the end of a six month loan period.

That they say is not something the Toffees are prepared to do given the tough financial situation and the club’s heavy spending in the summer.

The Toffees signed a promising teenage striker from a European giant last summer in Moise Kean and that hasn’t worked out well, at least so far anyway. Bringing in youngsters like this is a Brands transfer strategy too although Carlo Ancelotti prefers more experienced players.

While I don’t thing there is anything in this rumour, it does seem that Everton need to think about their forward options. With the current injury to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison’s poor form and the fact the the only other senior striker in the squad is Cenk Tosun, the Blues lack enough quality and alternatives in reserve.

Although it seems increasingly unlikely at this late stage given DCL’s injury, Tosun might still leave the club this month if a workable deal can be done. And long-term it doesn’t seem as though the Turkish international has a future at Goodison Park and so will almost certainly move on anyway in six months time.

Then there’s the question of whether Italian striker Kean will come back, or if he will make his season-loan to PSG permanent given how settled he is there. Alternatively, if that doesn’t happen he may still return to Italy in the summer.

So even if Everton aren’t seriously looking at Zirkzee now there will almost certainly need to be some significant changes in the club’s strikeforce made during the summer window.

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