Everton keep tabs on Bologna defender Takehiro Tomiyasu
Everton are monitoring Bologna defender Takehiro Tomiyasu, according to Gazzetta Dello Sport.
West Ham and Newcastle have shown an interest in the right-back in recent months [Evening Standard] but it is AC Milan who have made an actual attempt to sign Tomiyasu.
Per Gazzetta, they had a £13million bid rejected by Bologna as they wanted £17.3million for his services.
According to The Athletic, a right-back is a priority for Everton this summer, and it is possible Carlo Ancelotti and Marcel Brands view Tomiyasu as a potential problem-solver.
Risk worth taking?
Tomiyasu only joined Bologna in 2019 but it has not taken him long to prove himself in one of Europe’s top five leagues.
He is a defender who does the basics well but also displays technical ability on the ball, achieving 81% pass accuracy this season, per WhoScored.
The Japan international also has 1.6 tackles and two interceptions per game, and has the versatility to fit into a back four or a back five as he can also play centrally.
The 22-year-old received a glowing review from TuttoBologna reporter Manuel Minguzzi, who suggests Tomiyasu is “perfect for the Premier League”, per ChronicleLive.
Minguzzi also detailed how the defender became an “idol” upon joining Bologna, and increased the Italian clubs popularity due to the upturn in interest from Japanese fans.
Tapping into that commercial market would be an added bonus of getting this deal done.
Tomiyasu has displayed good adaptability in his short career having also impressed in Belgium after playing in Japan.
His form for Sint-Truidense VV earned him a move to Serie A so it is possible he could hit the ground running at Goodison Park if he was to join.
In other Everton news, Alex Iwobi is awestruck by his Toffees teammate who displays ‘tekkers’ that are ‘not normal’.
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