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Everton have been linked with a move for Bologna’s Jonathan Rowe but a deal could be impossible this summer.
The winger joined the Italian side from Marseille last summer. After a slow start to the campaign, he ended with 13 goal contributions in all competitions, catching fire in the second half of the season.
Despite that, Bologna couldn’t qualify for Europe and this led to speculation around the Englishman’s future. Sport Witness have covered interest from Aston Villa and Everton and at that point, the Rossoblu appeared more open to his sale.
Things are now changing, with the winger likely to stay.
Toffees need something special
Today’s Quotidiano Sportivo builds on what has been covered in England about Everton’s interest in Rowe. The UK press have suggested that Bologna have rejected a bid from the Merseyside club.
Bologna sold Santiago Castro to AS Roma, are expected to sell Jhon Lucumi, and don’t need to sell another player. The player shares the same idea, and he now favours staying at Bologna beyond the summer.
The outlet notes that only an ‘off market’ offer from Everton will convince the Italian side to sell. Bologna would need €55m to €60m, and this would set a record sale for Domenico Tedesco’s side.
This also signals that Bologna want to remain competitive at the highest level. Keeping Rowe at the club for another season could bring more out of him, as he wasn’t consistent in the first half of the campaign.
Even if the player has expressed a desire to return to England, that plan will have to wait for another season.
Our take: Moyes’ side should move on
Paying anything over €50m for Rowe wouldn’t make sense for Everton. Apart from inconsistency, there are clear concerns about his discipline issues too. He was involved in a scuffle with Adrien Rabiot at Marseille and similar problems emerged in Bologna’s recent friendly against Arminia Bielefeld.
Paying a huge amount for him, therefore, would be a risk.
If the 23-year-old proves himself next season, it’s worth returning.
Sportwitness
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