View: Brands’ negotiation of Kean signing gives Everton strong selling position
Marcel Brands has overseen a number of excellent successful transfers since becoming Everton’s Director of Football in 2018.
The Dutchman signed Lucas Digne from Barcelona for a cut-price deal, highly regarded Watford starlet Richarlison to great impact and Champions League duo Allan and James Rodriguez last summer, just to name a few.
But his negotiations over Moise Kean could prove to be his best business yet for the club after major European teams are reportedly ready to start a potential bidding war for his services this summer.
Juventus had been fairly stern over their transfer demands concerning Kean in 2019, namely that they wanted north of £30million up front, as well as a buy-back clause inserted into any deal. [Mail Online]
Juve didn’t have any immediate desire to sell the young forward, meaning Everton had no leverage at the negotiation table to bargain with. The Italian giants could have walked away without losing anything in the process.
However, Brands was able to negotiate down to an initial transfer fee of £25million, which could rise to £27.5million, while a buy-back clause was not included.
Instead, Juventus would be made aware of any bid made for Kean so that the Turin outfit could match it if they so desired.
Despite the fact that he largely failed to impress in the Premier League, Kean has seen his valuation climb dramatically this season with both Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain reportedly interested in securing permanent summer deals.
With 16 goals across 33 appearances during his loan spell with the Parisians this season, Everton have been put in a position to profit if Kean decides he doesn’t wish to return to Merseyside.
In such a scenario Brands’ negotiation talent would deserve immense praise because his refusal to agree to a buy-back clause will surely see Everton profit financially.