Everton are reportedly now 'first in line' to sign Luka Jovic in the summer, should they avoid relegation from the Premier League.
The Lowdown: Madrid downfall
It is safe to say that Jovic's big-money move from Frankfurt to Real Madrid has not quite worked out.
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He has been largely out of favour, scoring just three goals in 49 games in total over all competitions across three seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Karim Benzema's hat-trick away at Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League was yet more evidence of exactly where Jovic lies in the pecking order, as the Serbia international missed the game completely through injury, and it seems as if he may now have to seek a move away if he wants more game time.
The Latest: Everton 'first in line'
As per Serbian news outlet Blic (via Sport Witness), the Goodison Park faithful are now 'first in line' for Jovic's signature, should they manage to stay up at the ned of the campaign.
Madrid are keen to get him off of the wage bill, as he earns €100,000-per-week (£83,000) at the La Liga giants, and Frank Lampard is personally insisting on moving for him.
He wanted to buy Jovic when he was at Chelsea back in 2019, but this time Los Blancos are asking for €30m (£25m), or at least a club to take him on loan.
The Verdict: Avoid
Given his demise at Madrid, and the wages that he earns, the Merseyside club would be best to avoid trying to sign Jovic.
Dubbed ‘world-class‘ last year by former Frankfurt manager Adi Hutter, after the 24-year-old managed a more respectable 40 goals for the Bundesliga side, it is clear that he has lost his way, and so signing him would be a huge risk, especially when Everton have previous of splashing out on costly flops.
Nonetheless, they still have both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison, and so can continue to build the team around them next term should they stay up.
In other news, find out who the Toffees' three worst performers were against Burnley here!