Everton are considering a move for Borussia Monchengladbach forward Alassane Plea, according to French newspaper L’Equipe (via Sport Witness).
The lowdown
The Toffees have lost Richarlison, their top scorer last season, to Tottenham Hotspur, so they may be looking for a new striker to fill the void left by the Brazilian.
Plea has twice made the France squad, first in November 2018 and most recently in October 2019.
The 29-year-old is into the final year of his contract with Gladbach, who finished 10th in last season’s Bundesliga.
The latest
According to L’Equipe (via Sport Witness), Plea is apparently ‘hoping’ to leave Borussia Park this summer in an attempt to improve his chances of making France’s squad for the World Cup in Qatar.
The player’s agent is due to fly to Germany ‘on Monday’ to ‘clarify the situation’. Everton are aware of this and are ‘following the situation closely’ with a view to potentially making an offer.
Significantly, Plea is available for ‘no more than €8million’, which equates to £6.8m. It’s thought that a move could be arranged ‘before the Bundesliga starts up again in two weeks’.
The verdict
Plea’s goalscoring return is reasonably good. He netted 10 goals last season for a mid-table outfit, also adding eight assists, while his overall record for Gladbach stands at 47 goals and 28 assists in 142 appearances.
He’s also a versatile player, capable of playing on both wings and in a more withdrawn role behind the striker.
[freshpress-quiz id=”398130″]
However, perhaps the main reason that he appeals to Everton is that he’s available so cheaply as a result of his contract situation.
Transfer funds are in ‘short supply‘ at Goodison Park this summer, so it’s all about Frank Lampard and co finding enough bang for their buck.
About the Author
