With Michael Keane currently heading for a summer departure as a free agent, Everton have reportedly joined the race to sign a new centre-back who could replace the former Burnley defender.
Everton eye Keane replacements as Friedkin begin summer planning
Yet to put pen to paper on a new deal, Keane is set to leave as a free agent at the end of the season and conclude what has been a mixed spell in Merseyside. Whilst at times he has been one of the Toffees' most important defenders, poor form mixed with the emergence of Jarrad Branthwaite have seen the 32-year-old fall down the pecking order.
Now set to depart, Keane could be part of many changes under The Friedkin Group, who have made it their mission to take Everton back into the top half and beyond in the Premier League.
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They certainly don't lack ambition in pursuit of that, either. Names such as Dusan Vlahovic have reportedly made their transfer wishlist in what would be among the moves of the summer if those in Merseyside welcomed the Juventus striker.
Serie A seems to be where it's at for Friedkin too, who are keen to put their knowledge gained through AS Roma ownership to good use. According to Caught Offside, Everton have now joined the race to sign Thomas Kristensen this summer, but face competition from West Ham United, Juventus and AC Milan in a hectic battle for the defender's signature.
Left waiting to cash in is Udinese, who have seen the 23-year-old's valuation skyrocket since he arrived for just €5m (£4m) just two years ago. Now worth as much as €20m (£17m), the Italian club are set to make quite the profit this summer.
thomas kristensen
Standing at 6'3, Everton could add another towering defender to their backline by signing Kristensen to join the already aerially dominant Branthwaite, James Tarkowski and Jake O'Brien.
"Dominant" Kristensen could form Branthwaite partnership
Although both Branthwaite and Tarkowski have formed an impressive partnership at Goodison Park in the last two seasons, the fact that the latter is now 32 years old opens up room for someone of Kristensen to arrive. It's then that David Moyes could form quite the duo at the heart of his defence as he looks to take his side away from relegation scraps and into the top half.
The Dane certainly seems ready for such a move too, having realised the potential that scout/analyst Jacek Kulig detailed back in 2022. The writer described Kristensen as a "complete, elegant & dominant" centre-back.
With the likes of Juventus and Milan interested in his signature, there's no doubt that Everton would be landing quite the coup by signing Kristensen for just £17m this summer. A rising star, the Udinese man is one to watch.