View: Meret fits the profile as Ancelotti continues goalkeeper search
Prior to aggravating an issue with his ribs, Jordan Pickford had been enjoying a small period of form for Everton.
Despite this, though, the England international goalkeeper has struggled to cement his future as Everton’s first-choice goalkeeper since Carlo Ancelotti joined the club, and loan signing Robin Olsen hasn’t fared any better.
This has led to transfer speculation suggesting that Ancelotti could be in the market for a new shot-stopper once the transfer window reopens.
According to Italian outlet Il Napoli, 24-year old Alex Meret has emerged as a potential target this summer, with the goalkeeper having fallen down the pecking order at the San Paolo.
Another Italian outlet Il Romanista explains that Meret is keen to leave Napoli this summer, having fallen behind former Arsenal man David Ospina for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.
Il Romanista specifically details Roma’s interest in Meret, while Il Napoli explain that Ancelotti is keen to capitalise on the goalkeeper’s desire to be sold in order to bring him to Merseyside.
Meret certainly fits the profile for the type of player that Ancelotti and Marcel Brands should be turning their attention to this summer.
At 24-years old, Meret has plenty of time to continue developing into the top-class goalkeeper that he has often been tipped to become, having once been named as one of the top ten most talented teenage goalkeepers in world football by Mirror Sport.
David Ospina also recently sung his teammate’s praises [La Gazzetta dello Sport].
Composed, agile and firmly in command of his area, Meret displays a lot of qualities that would make him an asset to Everton, only paling in comparison to Pickford in relation to his distribution, where Pickford stands unopposed.
Il Romanista speculates that Meret would cost no less than £17.2million (€20million) this summer, but with Everton ready to invest heavily in the transfer market the price tag wouldn’t likely put Ancelotti off.
Meret is still so very young for a goalkeeper. He has bags of ability and future potential, and he wouldn’t cost a fortune. He could push for an exit from the Partenopei, and Ancelotti would more than likely have considerable sway with a young Italian.
Mail Online reported last week that Olsen is unlikely to remain on Merseyside next season, so Ancelotti could do far worse than go for Meret when he inevitably turns his attention to finding a new goalkeeper.
In other Everton news, the Toffees have emerged as the frontrunners to sign Lucas Vasquez this summer.