A new link has Everton linked with a deadline day deal for Freiburg midfielder Merlin Rohl, a player the club has been linked to previously, but who, up until today, those rumors have disappeared.
The Toffees were in conversation with the German club during the January window, reportedly sending two bids in for the player that were both rejected, with Freiburg opting to keep him at the club. But Rohl didn't end up featuring much for the club last season, featuring in just 22 matches and managing just under 1000 minutes.
Rohl has played in both of Freiburg's matches so far this season, but both were substitute appearances totalling just 27 minutes.
If anything, it seems clear that the 23-year-old is not in Julian Schuster's plans, despite showing himself to be a capable tackler as a defensive-minded midfielder.
And that is exactly where Everton has a major need in its squad, with Idrissa Gana Gueye currently serving as the only player who can play that position on the squad. While Gana has had another strong start to his season, he is set to turn 36 at the end of September, is only under contract for one more season, and will miss an extended chunk of this year while away with Senegal at AFCON.
So, finding a player who can spell Gana in the interim and likely take over for him in the near future as the long-term solution at the position is one of Everton's key goals as the window comes to a close later today.
Obviously, Rohl's lack of experience (he's only seen time in 47 matches in the Bundesliga, totaling 2500 minutes in three seasons) will impact his ability to help immediately, but with Gana in place, Everton doesn't need that. But his profile looks like a guy who can make a difference as a defensive midfielder.
He's a tall kid (6'3") who'll probably need to add some weight to get stronger (he's listed at just 163 pounds), but the instincts appear to be there, and he'll have time to grow into the Premier League game.
And my favorite part of this link is the player that Rohl is most like, according to FBRef's Player Comparison tool: former Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure.
If Rohl can bring that kind of motor and energy, then he should be just what Everton needs as the transfer window closes.