Everton must avoid another Cenk Tosun like failure in £43,000 per week attacker

Everton seems to be on striker shopping in the summer as a number of strikers have been associated with the Toffees. Marseille striker Valere Germain is the latest to hop on the bandwagon as the soon to be free agent is on the hunt for a new club.

According to L’Equipe (via Sportwitness), Everton have come forward for Germain. At the moment there are no contacts initiated but the likes of AC Milan and the Toffees have been viewing Germain as a player to potentially complete the squad. Ligue 1 sides Rennes and Bordeaux have expressed interest in signing the 30-year-old but nothing has reached a decisive stage.

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It’s not rocket science to understand why Everton are being linked to so many forwards recently. Moise Kean is heading for a Goodison exit with PSG and Juventus lurking. Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s current backup, Joshua King, hasn’t exactly fired up his career at Everton, raising doubts over his future in Merseyside beyond this season.

Naturally, the need for a Calvert-Lewin backup arises. Keeping in mind the aftermath of the COVID pandemic, a soon to be free agent like Germain is a low-risk option financially. However, taking a stock of his situation and profile, the Toffees must not indulge in any sort of transfer activity for Germain.

Everton must avoid another Tosun-esque transfer failure in Valere Germain

Germain has found himself completely out of Jorge Sampaoli’s plans, making him consider his future. The 30-year-old is hopeful that he can land one last big contract before he hangs up his boots. However, Germain’s returns are less than pleasing in the last few years.

In 32 games he has played this term, the former AS Monaco striker has managed just three goals and a solitary assist. In the season prior, Germain managed two goals and five assists in 30 games. In contrast, in his debut season with Les Phoceens, Germain scored 18 goals and registered six assists, a respectable return.

Whether it’s age, lack of consistency or not getting an extended run in the team, his numbers and intensity have dipped massively over the past couple of seasons. The Royal Blues cannot afford to have an inconsistent and unreliable backup to Calvert-Lewin.

Germain will turn 31 in a few days, and he isn’t going to get younger, faster or fitter now. He seemingly is past his prime and his record in his homeland isn’t exactly a glowing endorsement of his abilities that Everton should bet on.

Valere Germain doesn’t fit the Everton ideology of targeting young players

The Toffees are chasing Europe and potentially Champions League, at least in the upcoming seasons, if not this year, and having a bunch of players who are declining in value and performance won’t align with the team’s ideas of having exciting young talents.

Everton needs to form a base, a core group of young players who will remain a part of the team for years, to come and Germain isn’t the player who ticks that box. The only upside of such a move could be Germain’s versatility.

The Marseille striker is capable of playing on either flank, a second striker and even in a deeper role behind the No.9. The question is how effectively can he do it in the world’s most competitive football league?

Germain is likely to leave Marseille and should look for another club in his homeland. Previously, Everton have made the mistake of bringing a foreign striker in Cenk Tosun. The Turk arrived with pomp and fair, with a reputation of being a lethal finisher but sadly it didn’t work out for the Toffees as Tosun always seemed to struggle in England.

Valere Germain is giving similar vibes and is clearly one to stay away from.