Transfer expert Dean Jones is 'not convinced' that Everton will be in the conversation to sign Borussia Monchengladbach and France striker Marcus Thuram.
The Lowdown: Everton an admirer
Speaking on a recent instalment of the Talking Transfers podcast, transfer expert Graeme Bailey listed the Goodison Park outfit among Thuram's admirers alongside a number of other clubs in the Premier League.
His contract runs out in the summer, meaning that he can leave as a free agent, or sign for another club for a cut-price in the January transfer window.
The Latest: Wants European football
Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones is 'not convinced' that the Merseysiders will be in the conversation for Thuram in January, as the 25-year-old wants to play European football:
“I’m not convinced they will be in the conversation for Marcus Thuram because he’s definitely been touted around and they’re trying to gauge what sort of interest there is in him.
“But ultimately, I’m told he wants a club that are going to be playing European football, and I’m not sure that’s something Everton will be able to offer him.”
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The Verdict: Unlikely
It just seems highly unlikely that Frank Lampard's side would be able to tempt Thuram to move to the Toffees, and so they should be looking elsewhere for targets.
Hailed as ‘world class‘ by Wolfsburg sporting director Marcel Schafer, he ranks in the top 5% for non-penalty xG, top 8% for dribbles completed and top 10% for shots and interceptions of all strikers in Europe’s top five leagues over the last year (FBRef).
Boasting an impressive 13 goals and four assists in his opening 17 games for Gladbach over all competitions in the first part of the season (Transfermarkt), averaging a goal contribution a match, he has been even been labelled 'a little crazy' by former team-mate Denis Zakaria.
At the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Thuram has made four appearances for France, supplying one assist (Transfermarkt), and would add a prestigious piece of silverware to his name if his country can beat Argentina in the final on Sunday afternoon.
Nonetheless, with the Blues sitting just above the relegation zone at the moment, a move for Thuram in January seems a step too far.