£15.4m Everton target has received offer from AS Monaco

Everton may need some defensive reinforcements this summer, especially in the centre back area. The departure of Yerry Mina and Conor Coady and possible exit of Mason Holgate could leave EFC with insufficient options at centre back. The Toffees have considered Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu in the past.

The Toffees had six centre back options last season – James Tarskowski, Michael Keane, Ben Godfrey, Mina, Holgate and Coady. Mina was in the final year of his contract and he decided to seek newer pastures. Coady’s loan was not converted to a permanent transfer and now Holgate’s future has also been up in the air.

Since the start of the summer transfer window, Holgate has been linked with an exit. A couple of week ago, the Englishman was said to be in advanced talks with Sheffield United over a loan move. The 26 year old has been told that he is free to leave the club this summer which has prompted a number of clubs to show interest in the defender as Nottingham Forest also remain keen.

Everton target Mohammed Salisu wanted by AS Monaco

Jarrad Branthwaite’s future also remains in doubt as Sean Dyche will evaluate the young centre back in preseason before making a decision. Branthwaite is a wanted man as clubs like West Ham United, PSV and AS Roma have previously enquired about the 20 year old. In the event of Branthwaite’s sale and Holgate’s, EFC will be left with Tarkowski, Keane and Godfrey as central defence options.

Keane and Godfrey, both were substandard last season and EFC need to have a more reliable and resolute centre back partner to Tarkowski. The Toffees were linked with Salisu, who is expected to leave Southampton this summer after the Saints suffered relegation. According to Football Insider, Everton are now facing competition for the Ghanaian centre back.

AS Monaco have submitted a bid for Salisu and talks are ongoing between Southampton and the French club. Salisu fell out of favour at the end of last season and Monaco hope to complete the deal as Saints will not hinder a sale. The Ghanaian has 12 months left on his deal at St Mary’s Stadium and given Southampton’s relegation, he could be one of several players to depart this summer.

Everton are currently not in an extreme need of a centre back as Holgate and Branthwaite remain at the club. In case the situation changes and central defence departures take place, EFC will need to jump in the market for a centre back. If Salisu is sold by then, they will lose one of their top targets of the summer.

Should the Toffees sign Mohammed Salisu?