Everton manager David Moyes will be without his star winger Jack Grealishplaceholder image
Everton manager David Moyes will be without his star winger Jack Grealish | AFP via Getty Images
David Moyes is making plans for the summer and he could be reunited with a former Everton favourite.
David Moyes will be hoping for a similar hit rate when he adds to his current Everton squad in the summer.
The jury is still out on big money signing Thierno Barry, however, the £35m signing’s overall play suggests that he could be a useful option with a more prolific striker to rotate with. A return for Jack Grealish seems obvious with reports that a cut-price fee of £20m could be agreed with Man City and even some claims of the 30-year old being allowed to leave the Etihad for free – although the latter is unlikely given the restraints of profit and sustainability regulations.
Everton look to strengthen their squad
Where Moyes could land a bargain or two is in the Bosman/free agent market with the European market about to be flooded by a host of top quality players who could make a difference at either end of the park. Everton have already been linked with Harry Wilson and have seen Borussia Dortmund’s Julian Brandt named as a potential target too. A few more goals and assists in the forward line never goes amiss.
What will also be needed is reinforcements in defence. Right-back remains an issue with Jake O’Brien spending most of his time on the flank instead of his more natural centre-half berth. Then there is the contract situation of Michael Keane – who is into the last months of his deal – and Vitaliy Mykolenko – who there are mixed reports about whether or not he is going to stay at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. As with the forward line though, the defence could be strengthened by a free agent and a player who was once a Goodison Park favourite.
Everton consider contract offer for John Stones
According to TEAMtalk, Moyes could be trying to bring back a player he signed many moons ago: “Everton are exploring a potential summer move to bring John Stones back to the club, while the England international is also attracting interest from a range of alternative destinations – including ambitious Championship promotion chasers Wrexham. TEAMtalk understands the 31-year-old defender is open to a return to Merseyside and the chance to reunite with David Moyes, who is looking to strengthen his defensive options ahead of next season.”
There is no doubting Stones’ quality in terms of his intelligence, ability and leadership, however, he has played less than 1000 minutes this season and has only just returned to fitness following a thigh injury. He has though, been on the bench for four out of Man City’s last five Premier League games. On a free, and on a short-term deal, he might be worth the risk, but Everton shouldn’t be banking on him to be available to play over 40 games a season any time soon.
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