A former employee of David Moyes has tipped Everton to sign a Man United player who is 'perfect' for the Toffees.
Everton cling on in European race after Crystal Palace draw
The dream of European football next season is alive, but increasingly unlikely.
Everton manager David Moyes looks on during the warm up before the match
Sunday's 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace — a game the Toffees led and could not hold on to win — leaves Moyes' side in tenth, four points behind Brighton, with two games remaining.
The maths have not been officially closed off, and the gap is still surmountable, but Everton are heavily relying on fumbles from those above and a near-perfect record from here on in.
For a club that has spent much of the campaign harbouring genuine ambitions of a top-seven finish, it would be a fairytale end to their debut season at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
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Beto found the net at Selhurst Park and put in a solid shift, but it was another afternoon that illustrated the inconsistency that has ultimately cost Everton in the final stretch.
Moyes will want answers this summer, and strengthening the forward line appears to be near the top of his list.
Everton tipped to sign Man United forward Joshua Zirkzee
Joshua Zirkzee, who's been regularly linked with the Merseysiders, has endured one of the more miserable campaigns in the Premier League this season.
joshua-zirkzee-man-utd
The £36m signing managed just five starts under Ruben Amorim before Michael Carrick arrived and showed little more faith, leaving the Netherlands international stranded on the fringes with only two league goals to his name this term.
United have moved on him since, making clear they are open to letting him leave in the summer, and a queue of interested clubs is forming.
With the summer now approaching, Everton could return for Zirkzee, and a former United scout says there is a major possibility they do.
Mick Brown, who also worked closely with Moyes during his time at West Ham, told Football Insider that it could be one to watch.
"A move to Everton is a real possibility for Zirkzee," he said.
"Whatever you might say about his time at Man United, he does put in a shift, he works hard, and you can never accuse him of not trying his best to make an impact.
"It might not be good enough for Man United, where he's competing with the likes of Benjamin Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo, but that's not the case at Everton.
"He's perfect for David Moyes because he works hard, he can hold the ball up and bring his teammates into play, he's not afraid to move in behind the defence as well.
"It's a move that could work out for everybody, because it would mean he gets more playing time, Everton get a new striker and Man United get some money."
Brown's reasoning is hard to argue with.
Zirkzee's profile — industrious, intelligent in his movement, capable both as a focal point and a link player — maps neatly onto what Moyes tends to demand from his number nine.
The manager built his best West Ham sides around forwards who were as much about the team as themselves, and Zirkzee, whatever his limitations at Old Trafford, has never been accused of a poor attitude or lack of effort.
Whether United's asking price proves manageable is another question entirely.
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