Everton might finally secure Edon Zhegrova this summer as Juventus look to move the winger on by any means necessary. Reports from Tuttosport, later picked up by Tuttomercatoweb, suggest the Italian giants are ready to let the 27-year-old go regardless of where they finish in the league.
Everton set to go in for Edon Zhegrova
Manager Luciano Spalletti is planning a major squad overhaul, and the Kosovan international is reportedly at the top of the surplus to requirements list after a disappointing stint in Turin. Despite paying €14.3m for him, Juve now seem happy to sanction a loan just to get him out, which is a massive boost for Everton’s transfer plans.
The Toffees looked into a deal back in January but decided to keep their powder dry for a bigger summer budget under David Moyes. This new chance to snag him temporarily lets the club bolster their wings without breaking the bank immediately. With the club also keeping tabs on Jack Grealish, whose own loan has been hit by recent disciplinary questions, picking up Zhegrova on the cheap looks like a smart backup plan. For his part, the player is said to be desperate for a Premier League move to kickstart his career after a rough time in Italy.
Can Edon Zhegrova thrive under David Moyes?
Everton news
BOLOGNA, ITALY – NOVEMBER 27: Edon Zhegrova of LOSC Lille warms up ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Bologna FC 1909 and LOSC Lille at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on November 27, 2024 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Bringing Zhegrova to Everton raises real questions about whether he actually is the right profile for a David Moyes side. On one hand, the winger has a magic left foot and can beat players for fun, often making something out of nothing when he cuts inside from the right. That kind of individual brilliance could be exactly what Everton need to unlock stubborn, deep-sitting defences.
However, there are big worries about his fitness following a serious knee injury that seems to have cost him his old pace. Moyes usually demands his wide men work their socks off and stay disciplined defensively, but Zhegrova has struggled with his work rate and rarely lasts a full 90 minutes. If Everton go through with this, they’ll have to consider his technical skill against those concerns over his consistency and engine. A loan is a low-risk way to see if their medical team can get him back to his explosive best before they commit to a permanent move.