Report – Everton plot cut-price swoop for 22y/o midfielder
Everton are eyeing a cut-price summer swoop for Toulouse midfielder Ibrahim Sangare, according to the Daily Express.
The French club were relegated last week after authorities took the decision to end the domestic campaign early because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
The report also states that the 22-year-old is entering the last year of his contract on the continent, and as a result, could be available for a reduced fee in the coming months.
It is understood that Toulouse value him at around £22 million.
The Toffees are said to have been tracking the Ivorian since last summer, and see him as a replacement for Idrissa Gueye, who joined PSG at the end of last season.
They could, however, face competition from Newcastle United for his signature.
Could Sangare be the man to finally replace Gueye?
Losing Idrissa Gueye was a real blow for the Toffees, and one that they have struggled to properly address in the months since.
Bringing in a significant presence in the centre of the park would, therefore, be a smart move this summer.
Admittedly, Sangare still has some way to go before he is replicating the kind of form that earned Gueye his move to PSG.
So far this season he has averaged just 3.4 tackles and 1.6 interceptions per game, as per Whoscored.
As a point of reference, Gueye averaged 4.4 and 2.2 in those areas respectively last season.
There are positive signs though.
Sangare has more successful dribbles and more key passes this term than Gueye did last, and at 22, has bucketloads of potential.
This could be a really exciting move for the Blues.
In other Everton news, Report – Ancelotti plots raid on former club in Toffees summer swap deal.