Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Semi Final - France v Morocco - Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor, Qatar - December 14, 2022 Morocco's Hakim Ziyech reacts REUTERS/Carl Recine
Everton have ‘turned towards’ signing Morocco international and Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech this January, according to Sky Sports.
The Lowdown: Danjuma deal hijacked…
Despite already having his medical at Goodison Park, Spurs made a successful eleventh hour hijack attempt to sign Arnaut Danjuma much to the dismay of the Everton hierarchy.
Tottenham have since unveiled the Dutchman as a winter signing with the Toffees now forced to go back to their drawing board in the search for alternatives.
This comes amid the club’s search for a new Premier League manager after they sacked Frank Lampard.
The Latest: Everton turn towards Ziyech…
Now, according to broadcast giant Sky Sports, via their transfer blog (Wednesday, 15:27), Everton have now ‘turned towards’ signing Ziyech as an alternative.
It’s explained on video that the Merseyside club have ‘moved quickly’ on to their next target after Danjuma’s move collapsed with one ‘source’ saying they’re ‘ready to pay £25 million’ for the 29-year-old.
It’s added that Chelsea are ‘considering letting him go’ amid Everton’s interest.
The Verdict: Upgrade?
Called a ‘real handful‘ by former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan, we believe the £100,000-per-week forward would be a real asset for both Everton and their next manager.
In their bid for top flight survival, they’re in dire need of proven attacking quality and Morocco’s 2022 World Cup star can provide exactly that.
As per WhoScored, Ziyech played a pivotal role on his nation’s run to the semi-finals whilst making history as being part of Africa’s first ever team to get that far.
He averaged more attempts at goal per 90 than any Moroccan whilst also completing their second-highest rate of successful take-ons – finishing the tournament as one of their top three best-performers.
While he has been pushed to the sidelines at Chelsea, if Everton were to offer an escape route, Ziyech is capable of injecting that real spark in the attacking areas.
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