- Everton have re-initiated contact with Juventus over winger Edon Zhegrova.
- Kosovo international started just once in Serie A last season and expected to leave Turin.
- Besiktas, Trabzonspor, Monaco and Lens are also in the race for his signature.
We reported this back in March. Everton wanted Edon Zhegrova, had tried to sign him twice already, and were lining up a third attempt. Three months on – it’s happening. We think.
Italian journalist Mirko Di Natale confirmed yesterday that Everton have been in contact with Juventus in recent weeks, with our original report now looking on the money. David Ornstein flagged Everton’s interest back in February, and the Toffees have clearly kept this one on the boil.
There are other clubs involved – Besiktas, Trabzonspor, Monaco and Lens are all sniffing around – but none of them have been chasing this deal as long as Everton have. That counts for something.
Juventus want shot of him
Zhegrova’s season in Turin was, to put it kindly, forgettable. One Serie A start, no goals, no assists – this from a player who was involved in 22 goals at Lille the season before he made the move to Italy. Something went badly wrong, and Juventus have clearly decided it isn’t worth unpicking.
The financial picture makes a sale straightforward too. Juventus paid around €14.3m for Zhegrova last September, and his book value now sits at around €11.4m – meaning they’d be looking to recover that figure as a minimum rather than chasing a profit.
For Everton, that’s a realistic number. Goal.com reported in March that Juventus simply cannot afford to let him go for less than book value – so there’s a clear floor to negotiate from, and not a punishing one.
Does he fit?
He’s not a Ndiaye replacement – let’s not go there. But with Ndiye’s future still very much up in the air and City, Arsenal, United and Spurs all circling, Moyes would be daft to head into pre-season without more attacking cover than he currently has. The Grealish saga too is still ongoing.
Zhegrova is direct, two-footed, and at 27 should be hitting the peak years of his career. A fresh start in the Premier League might be exactly what he needs. Everton could be getting him at the perfect time – or they could be inheriting someone whose confidence is shot after a difficult year in Serie A.
That’s the gamble.
Either way, the interest is apparently real, the talks are ongoing, and Everton have been in this race longer than anyone. Watch this one closely.
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