Everton eye former Manchester United attacker who is available for free this summer
Everton’s transfer business has ramped up in the last couple of weeks as Frank Lampard and Kevin Thelwell aim to have a competitive squad before the end of the transfer window. Some moves have already been made but the Toffees are still looking to rejuvenate the attack. The name of Adnan Januzaj has now been linked to Everton.
In the attack, the first priority will be to sign a striker as Dominic Calvert-Lewin recuperates from a knee injury, whereas Salomon Rondon hasn’t entirely won Lampard’s trust when it comes to being a backup. Signing a striker is almost mandatory now as the Merseysiders have looked toothless and clueless in the final third in the first two games of the season.
There has been talk about Chelsea wanting to sign Anthony Gordon. The academy graduate is wanted by the London club and they are willing to splash the cash to sign the 21 year old starlet. In fact, Chelsea have already made a bid of £45 million which has been rejected by the Toffees. Everton’s stance is pretty clear that Gordon is not for sale but Chelsea could further test Everton’s resolve by submitting a bigger bid.
As much as there’s love for Gordon, £50 million+ amount for a player who is still learning his trade is a humungous amount to turn down, given Everton’s state of finances. It will understandable to some degree if the club accepts such a bid and let’s Gordon depart to a Champions League playing club.
Everton following free agent Adnan Januzaj
If Gordon departs, the Toffees will be looking for a winger and Januzaj could be a decent player. According to Tutto Mercato Web, Everton are following Januzaj who is a free agent after his contract expired with Real Sociedad this summer.
The player left Manchester United in 2017, joining the Spanish side Sociedad. Following five years in the Basque region, making 168 appearances, scoring 23 goals and assisting another 21, Januzaj left La Real.
He is looking for a new club and has been linked to Everton and Sevilla. However, the biggest push is being made by Genoa, who were relegated from Serie A at the end of last season. Genoa are trying to convince him to re-launch his career in Serie B but the transfer remains complicated.
Januzaj could be a decent fit for Everton. He isn’t a world beater who will score hat-tricks or give you match-winning performances week in week out, but he will do the required job and maintain a high level of work rate in the attack. He averages 2.72 completed dribbles per 90, putting him in top eight percent of attackers across Europe.
Januzaj recorded 8.11 progressive carries per game which are substantially higher than Gordon, Demarai Gray, Andros Townsend and new signing Dwight McNeil. In fact, it is higher than Richarlison, who was regarded as Everton’s best attacker by some distance till the time he was at Goodison Park. (stats via FBref)
The Belgian prefers to play on the right flank but has played on the left wing too for a considerable part of his career. He can operate as an attacking midfielder and also supplement as a second striker, though his best version can be witnessed on the wings.
The 27 year old will arrive on a free transfer which poses relatively low risk. With the tight finances, regardless of Gordon’s situation, Januzaj is a player that should be on Everton’s radar.
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Should the Toffees sign Adnan Januzaj?