Koeman targets Witsel and Krul as first recruits
Ronald Koeman will look to bring Axel Witsel and Tim Krul to Goodison as he looks to rebuild the Everton squad, according to the Guardian and the Express.
The former Southampton manager completed his managerial move to the Blues yesterday, with his first aim to break the club’s record transfer fee by bringing Axel Witsel to the Premier League.
The Belgian midfielder currently plays in Russia for Zenit, but after four years at the club, Witsel is looking to make the switch to the Premier League. Axel has been targeted by Tottenham Hotspur in the past and is thought to cost £30million, even with one year left on his deal. It is likely that the club will be able to reduce that figure with Zenit hoping to recoup some of the €40million they paid for the player.
Witsel is currently playing in Euro 2016 with the Belgian national team, the Red Devil’s were beaten by Italy on Monday, as another Everton target Graziano Pelle scored.
The midfielder also boasts Champions League experience as Everton look to reach the European competition in the next few years after providing Koeman with a transfer budget of over £100million this summer.
Koeman is also targeting Newcastle keeper Tim Krul, who struggled in the season just gone with injury, making only eight appearances in the Premier League. The Dutchman is reportedly seen as the ideal replacement of the outbound Tim Howard, with a bargain price more likely after the Magpies succumbed to relegation last season. Krul is also entering the final 12 months of his contract, allowing the club to pick the goalkeeper up relatively cheap.