Everton have previously sent scouts to watch Niklas Sule.
A story from the Mirror back in November 2016 claimed that Everton watched the German several times as he burst onto the scene at Hoffenheim at the age of just 21 – but ultimately lost out to Bayern Munich in January 2017 after a £22m deal was agreed.
The Toffees have since seen Sule settle down in the Bundesliga, moving to Borussia Dortmund on a free transfer in July 2022 – but as The Friedkin Group aim to sign a new defender for David Moyes this summer, the Germany international is now back on the market at the age of 30.
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Ivan Toney of Al Ahli celebrates after scoring the 2nd goal during the Saudi Pro League match between Al Ahli and Al Nassr
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Borussia Dortmund announce Niklas Sule will become a free agent amidst Everton hunt for a defender
Everton seem keen on signing a new central defender without breaking the bank. The Toffees have already been linked to Marco Senesi on a free transfer when he departs Bournemouth at the end of the season.
Another freebie is being considered by Everton too, with Ozan Kabak on the radar after deciding to leave Hoffenheim this summer.
Therefore, the fact Sule is now set to leave Borussia Dortmund when his contract ends this summer as well may be of interest to Everton – especially as the Germany international was once being closely followed by the Toffees.
Lars Ricken – CEO of Borussia Dortmund – said: “We held very open and appreciative talks with both this week. In the end, we agreed with both Niklas and Salih (Ozcan) that we’ll go our separate ways at the end of the season.”
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Sule has only managed to make 11 appearances across all competitions so far this season due to injuries, but when fit, he has proven to be a formidable presence at the back.
The Friedkin Group might be planning to spend heavily on the full-back department rather than centre of defence
As aforesaid, a pattern is emerging when it comes to centre-backs being linked to Everton. Most are set to be available as free agents, if not for minimal fees like Mario Gila of Lazio – who has decided to leave 12 months before his deal ends.
With two top central defenders in Jake O’Brien and Jarrad Branthwaite already playing out of position at full-back under Moyes, we think the plan could be for those two to move into the middle of the backline, with significant investment then made on finding upgrades to Vitalii Mykolenko and Nathan Patterson in the full-back areas.
Mykolenko is out of contract at the end of the season, would you let him leave on a free transfer?
Everton's Vitali Mykolenko.
Then, with Michael Keane seeing his own contract expire and James Tarkowski nearing his 34th birthday, a cheap option like Senesi, Kabak or Sule will be signed to provide depth in central defence – in our opinion at least.
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