Everton supporters in the Transfer Tavern are very much looking forward to the new era at their football club following the appointment of Marco Silva as the new Toffees manager last month.
The 40-year-old had been out of work since losing his job at Watford back in January, which the Hornets blamed greatly on Everton for their approaches for the Portuguese following their decision to sack Ronald Koeman. Regardless, the Toffees now have their man after parting company with Sam Allardyce at the end of the season, this all despite leading the Merseysiders to an eighth place finish in the Premier League.
Nonetheless, there are many excited and expectant Evertonians in the Tavern at present, several of whom are likely to be intrigued by recent comments from Muhamed Besic, in which he has opened the door for a return to Championship side Middlesbrough next season.
And with the Toffees reportedly keen on Boro defender Ben Gibson, Silva would be wise to demand the £9 million-rated star (as per Transfermarkt) as part of a possible deal to take Besic to the Riverside Stadium.
Ultimately, the Everton midfielder was shipped out on loan by the Premier League side back in the winter transfer window after mustering only eight senior appearances for the Toffees in the first half of the season, just two of which coming in the top-flight.
And with just four of those eight appearances coming as starts, it’s clear that the Bosnia and Herzegovina international is a fair way down the pecking order at Goodison Park, although a new manager does bring about the possibility that he could be part of Silva’s plans.
But if he’s not, and Middlesbrough are interested in bringing him back to Teesside, Everton must demand Gibson in return, as the 25-year-old would go some way to bolstering the Toffees’ leaky backline.
The Merseysiders were pretty poor at the back for much of the 2017/18 campaign in shipping 58 goals in their 38 league matches – more than any team that finished above them in the division, and remarkably two more than the relegated duo of West Brom and Swansea City.
Thus, serious work needs conducting on the defensive unit this summer given the likes of Ashley Williams, Phil Jagielka, and even summer signing Michael Keane failed to convince this term, yet Gibson has already proven to be a hugely adept Premier League defender.
The Englishman, called up to Gareth Southgate’s national squad for friendlies last year, played a key role in helping Boro to the best defensive record of any side in the bottom half of the top-flight back in 2016/17, conceding five goals fewer than Everton’s tally this time round.
And while it wasn’t enough to keep the North East outfit in the division, it certainly raised Gibson’s stock, and also underlined his ability and adeptness to consistently produce the goods in the Premier League – he was one of a few bright sparks for Boro that season.
Thus, with Everton clearly in need of defensive reinforcements, and having reportedly expressed an interest in Gibson, Silva would be wise to demand the 25-year-old as part of any possible Middlesbrough deal for midfielder Besic.
Everton fans… what do you think? Let us know!
