Everton face competition from Manchester United for Romagnoli – report
Everton will face competition from Manchester United for AC Milan defender Alessio Romagnoli this summer, according to Il Milanista.
Carlo Ancelotti is said to be a long-time admirer of the Italy international, who has fallen out of favour at the San Siro with Chelsea loanee Fikayo Tomori having taken his starting spot.
However Il Milanista, a partner website of La Gazzetta dello Sport, claim that United could diminish Everton’s chances at landing the 26-year old, with the Red Devils keen on both Romagnoli and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Il Milanista also claim that Romagnoli has grown frustrated over the past few weeks over his lack of game time, and that has led the Rossoneri to consider selling him when the transfer window reopens.
Everton have rotated their four centre-back options this season, with any partnership of Mason Holgate, Michael Keane, Yerry Mina and Ben Godfrey starting for the Blues.
With the Toffees closing in on qualification for Europe ahead of next season, Ancelotti could look to bolster his defensive options, which could pave the way for a move for Romagnoli.
European quality
Everton’s summer transfer plans will undoubtedly be shaped by whether or not they qualify for either the Champions League or the Europa League, and until that is secure it’s hard for the club to put firm plans in place.
Should we return to continental competition next season, we’ll need to increase both the depth of quality and personnel in Ancelotti’s squad, meaning better players and more numbers.
However we still need to find the right balance of having players that can actually contribute when required, and that’s why Romagnoli looks to be the right calibre of player to pursue.
Likened by some to former Milan legend Alessandro Nesta [Bleacher Report], Romagnoli would bring plenty of European experience to Finch Farm. Having recently turned 26-years old too, Romagnoli represents a great age for a new recruit, especially considering Ancelotti erred on the older side during the last transfer window.
It remains to be seen whether Everton, or most likely Ancelotti, will prove tempting enough to bring Romagnoli to Goodison Park, but he’s certainly the right type of player that we should be pursuing.
In other Everton news, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has revealed that he hopes to emulate Harry Kane’s success at Everton.