Everton are likely to sign a new defender this summer.
The backline is not entirely as David Moyes would appear to want it, as the Glaswegian has fielded James Garner out of position at right-back on several occasions, also tending to deploy central defenders such as Jake O’Brien and Jarrad Branthwaite in wide defensive areas.
There are also doubts over whether Michael Keane will be staying at the Hill Dickinson Stadium as the England international sees his contract expire in July, and as that uncertainty rumbles on, a story from Calciomercato in Italy claims Everton are monitoring a centre-back in Federico Gatti.
Who should Everton be keeping and letting go this summer? 🫣
Jack Grealish in action for Everton
Credit: Getty Images/Visionhaus
Everton on alert with Juventus open to selling Federico Gatti
The Italian news outlet believe Everton are one of five Premier League clubs keeping a close eye on the Italy international as Juventus aim to cash in.
Juventus value Gatti at €25m (£22m) and see the 27-year-old as a player who can be sacrificed as they aim to raise some cash to bolster other areas of the squad.
Everton – who are monitoring Marco Senesi too – have since sat up and taken notice, while Calciomercato say Leeds, Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Newcastle are also considering bids for the man born in Rivoli.
Gatti has only made 16 appearances in Serie A so far this season due to a combination of meniscus issues and being left on the bench by Luciano Spalletti – who is said to be behind the decision to put the Italian up for sale.
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£22m is a decent price for an Italy international aged just 27 – although Moyes and The Friedkin Group should be questioning why Juventus have decided to sell Gatti.
The Italian giants are hardly the force they once were, currently sitting fifth in Serie A.
Does Michael Keane deserve a new contract at Everton? 😬
He is currently set to become a free agent in the summer… 👋
Michael Keane of Everton thanks the supporters after the Premier League match between Fulham and Everton.
Credit: Getty Images/Tiego Grenho/MI News/NurPhoto.
Therefore, if Gatti is deemed to be unsuitable for Juventus, the Toffees need to be asking whether he is actually any better than Keane before this transfer situation develops any further.
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