David Moyes is keen to sign a creative midfielder this summer transfer window.
Everton have already made Carlos Alcaraz’s loan deal a permanent one after impressing since joining in January.
Now the Toffees are looking at adding another playmaker to their ranks, with James McAtee on Moyes’ radar.
Pep Guardiola is willing to sanction McAtee’s sale but he won’t come on the cheap, as Manchester City want £35m.
Now, there’s been a fresh rumour that’s just emerged over the last few hours.
Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images
Everton are now exploring a deal to sign Matt O’Riley
According to Sky Sports, Everton are keen on signing Brighton and Hove Albion playmaker Matt O’Riley this summer.
O’Riley only joined the Seagulls last summer in a record £25m deal from Celtic, but after limited game time, he could be on the move.
The left-footed creator has started just 11 Premier League games, which has alerted a number of other clubs, most notably in Italy.
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Moyes and his recruitment staff are waiting to see if Brighton indicate that they’d be open to a sale before progressing interest any further.
O’Riley is under contract until 2029 and there is a belief that he’d become a key fixture at the Amex next season.
Brendan Rodgers is a massive fan of O’Riley
Brendan Rodgers had O’Riley at Celtic last term and was always full of praise for his star man.
Speaking last May, Rodgers said: “He has been absolutely phenomenal really in his consistency. I think if we lacked anything as a team, it was probably that.”
The former Leicester City boss added: “The beauty about Matt is that he is a learner. He wants to learn, he wants to improve and if he keeps that hunger he will continually do that.
“He is very humble, there is nothing flash about him. His peers recognise the work he puts in and the mentality that he has.”
O’Riley enjoyed a remarkable campaign in his final year in Scotland, netting 19 times whilst laying on a whopping 18 assists.
Quite clearly, he’d be a really exciting addition for Everton, if they do manage to strike a deal.