It’s been a successful start to 2017 for Everton, who are currently unbeaten in the Premier League for this calendar year. However, despite boasting a rather impressive defensive record, the club will almost certainly be actively pursuing a new centre-half when the transfer window reopens.
With Phil Jagielka playing in the twilight of his career and Ramiro Funes Mori balancing his confidence and strong aerial threat with his tendency to cause heart-in-mouth moments, Ronald Koeman will be crying out for a new centre-half to tighten up his backline and to help the club move forward in its new project.
With that in mind, and with a plethora of players being linked with the Toffees over the course of the season, I look at five players who could be seen as ideal summer signings to help push the club to the next level and allow them to challenge for European qualification when next season gets underway.
Michael Keane
Probably the most obvious one, Ronald Koeman has already confirmed in a press conference last month that Michael Keane is on his shortlist.
The Burnley star has impressed since gaining promotion back to the Premier League. He has shown he has what it takes to make it at the top level, being called up to the England squad for the first time back in October, and at only 24 he would be a smart investment for Everton moving forward.
Kostas Manolas
Some will remember when Everton had effectively signed Kostas Manolas back in 2012, only for him to reject the move last minute due to a difficult personnel situation at AEK Athens. Fast forward five years, Manolas is now one of the most sought after centre-halves in Europe, and his price tag has jumped from £500,000 to almost £50million.
The 25-year old Greece international possesses all of the desired qualities of a modern central defender, being quick, strong and athletic, making him the perfect player to fit into Koeman’s system.
Virgil van Dijk
There isn’t much that needs to be said about Virgil van Dijk’s quality; his pedigree is well regarded across the country and Europe. This season, van Dijk has arguably been the best defender in the league, and looks likely to move on at the end of the season.
The problem lies in attracting the Dutchman to Everton instead of the host of other clubs that have been linked with his signature. Van Dijk’s relationship with Koeman could help Everton’s chances, but the odds aren’t stacked in the club’s favour. Still, stranger things have happened.
Ben Gibson
Similar to Keane, Ben Gibson has impressed since gaining promotion to the Premier League last season. A key member of Middlesbrough’s team for several years, Gibson has settled into the Premier League exceptionally fast and is frequently knocking on England’s door.
Like Keane, Gibson is also 24 and would represent a smart investment. He is more mobile than Keane, marshalling his defence with exceptional ability that has proved beyond any doubt that he is more than qualified to play at the highest level, in spite of the rampant claims of nepotism that have circled him throughout his career.
Nathan Aké
I know this is coming from left field as Nathan Aké hasn’t been linked to the club specifically, but he’s a player I’d love to see come in. Aké is versatile, hard-working and vastly talented, and his talent is finally being realised following his successful loan spell at Bournemouth this season.
Still only 21, Aké has so much potential to develop into a great Premier League player. It’s an unlikely move, considering how well regarded he is at Chelsea, and would probably cost Everton a huge amount of money, but if push comes to shove and Virgil van Dijk isn’t available, I’d sooner see the club splash out on a proven Premier League player than someone of Kalidou Koulibaly’s ilk.