Everton are in the market for new players this summer with a new striker on the agenda – but a move for Aleksandar Mitrovic is currently looking unlikely.
David Moyes is looking to take Everton to the next level now, after keeping the Toffees in the Premier League.
He has done a tremendous job since returning to the club in January, and helped Everton to finish in 13th on 48 points.
Everton now have a lot of work to do in the transfer market, with a number of players leaving the club.
Speculation continues to swirl over the future of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and Armando Broja is heading back to his parent club Chelsea after his loan move.
So the need is there for at least one new striker, and Everton supposedly have interest in Mitrovic.
But there is one big issue at the moment for Moyes.
What Everton need from Aleksandar Mitrovic to make any transfer possible
Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Everton struggled at times in front of goal last season.
MORE EVERTON STORIES
Beto made huge improvements under Moyes and the team did become a little more free scoring under the Scot towards the end of the campaign.
But there is definitely scope to be adding more firepower.
Marco Silva is a big fan of Mitrovic, and potentially he could be a great addition.
But there’s one clear issue at the moment for Everton, and that is Mitrovic’s wages.
Journalist Ben Jacobs says: “A meeting took place today between Al-Hilal and Aleksandar Mitrović’s representatives.
“Hilal are open to selling Mitrovic, but his €15m-net salary remains an issue for both Milan and Premier League clubs who have enquired.
“Concrete interest, but Mitrovic would need to drop his salary for anything to progress, or Al-Hilal sanction a loan with wage coverage.”
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
The ideal scenario for Everton over Mitrovic
It was perhaps inevitable that this would be an issue for clubs in a pursuit of Mitrovic.
He is on absolutely huge wages over in Saudi that realistically no club in Europe will, or can, match.
But Mitrovic will probably be aware of that, and hopefully he will be willing to drop his demands if he’s open to moving.
Aleksandar Mitrovic for Al-Hilal (2023-present)
Appearances –
Minutes played –
Goals –
Assists –
What would be absolutely ideal for Everton is Mitrovic being sanctioned a loan move by Al-Hilal, and them paying a portion of his wages, as Jacobs suggests.
This would then make this a much less risky move by Everton, with there currently being no telling how he’d fare in the English top-flight after two years in Saudi.