Everton have been urged to invest in genuine quality in midfield once the transfer window reopens, with a man to occupy the engine room speculated to be on Carlo Ancelotti’s wish list this summer.
Much of the club’s transfer speculation in January revolved around potential midfield recruits, following a spate of injuries and poor form disrupting Everton’s current crop of midfield talent.
Inter Milan midfielder Matias Vecino was one such name to crop up a number of times throughout the month, with Everton said to be close to signing the Uruguayan at one point.
Now, Express Sport claim that Chelsea are eyeing a summer move for the 28-year old, with Frank Lampard’s side willing to pay Inter’s £23 million asking price.
Express Sport also indicate that Everton are still interested in Vecino, despite Ancelotti having poured cold water on such speculation earlier this month.
With this story in mind, we’ve taken a look at five other midfield options that Ancelotti could explore instead of Vecino once the club’s transfer business gets underway.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg
Star Sport claimed last month that Southampton’s captain had been made Everton’s primary target before the end of the window, although no bid ultimately materialised for the Denmark international.
Still only 24 and with a Champions League winner’s medal to his name, Hojbjerg is currently playing below his station at St Mary’s, and for a respectable fee he could be a solid option in the summer.
Abdoulaye Doucoure
Doucoure was frequently linked with Everton during Marco Silva’s tenure, with the Blues having had two bids rejected by Watford last summer.
The Frenchman spoke recently about how he believes the Hornets would let him leave in the summer if he wanted to, and while relations between Watford and Everton have been frosty in the past, the Blues may feel like they can bring the powerful midfielder to Goodison Park.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Having missed the entirety of this season so far due to injury, Loftus-Cheek has failed to establish himself under Frank Lampard, through no fault of his own.
With Hakim Ziyech joining the Blues in the summer and with the Blues said to be keen on Vecino, Lampard may need to shift someone already at the club, and while Loftus-Cheek might not be allowed to leave permanently, a season-long loan move could benefit all parties.
Allan
The Napoli general was another player who was frequently linked with a switch to Merseyside in January, with reports as recently as last weekend claiming that he could swap Naples for Liverpool in the summer.
Football Italia claim that the Brazil international is almost certain to leave the San Paolo at the end of the campaign, and Carlo Ancelotti could look to call upon his former player to join him at Goodison Park.