Sasa Lukic, Everton, Toffees, Goodison Park, Premier League
Reported Everton transfer target Sasa Lukic could be beyond the Toffees’ price range, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.
The Lowdown: Everton linked with Lukic
The Serbia midfielder, who started all three of his country’s games at the World Cup in Qatar, has been linked with a move to the Merseyside club in recent weeks.
Reports from Italy stated that Everton are in a direct fight with Premier League rivals Leeds in the race to lure the 26-year-old away from Torino, with his departure from the Serie A club in January deemed probable.
However, according to O’Rourke, it won’t be Goodison Park to which the Serbian makes tracks in the winter transfer window.
The Latest: Lukic too expensive for Everton
The journalist told Football FanCast that Torino will likely demand £30m for Lukic, which he feels could be just beyond reach for Everton next month.
O’Rourke said: “The only problem for Everton right now is probably the transfer fee, I think it might be out of their reach for January for Lukic. I don’t think Torino will be willing to sell for anything less than £30m and I don’t think Everton could go to that right now.”
The Verdict: Could’ve been an ideal option
Having spent £33m to sign another central midfielder in Amadou Onana over the summer, it’s a pity that a similar outlay on Lukic appears to be beyond Everton’s January budget, judging by O’Rourke’s claim.
The Serbian, who has been dubbed “excellent” by former Torino team-mate Gleison Bremer, could offer something different from the middle of the park in comparison to Onana and Idrissa Gueye.
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As per FBRef, Lukic has averaged 3.4 shot-creating actions per game, far more than Onana (1.04) and Gueye (1.59), while he has also made more key passes this season (12) than the Everton midfield pair combined (nine).
His skill set could have nicely complemented those of the Toffees duo, in particular the industrious Gueye, but it looks like Everton will need to turn their attention elsewhere if they want to bolster their midfield next month.
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