Galatasaray enter talks over Everton target Alexandru Cicaldau
Galatasaray are in talks with Romanian club Universitatea Craiova over their 24-year-old midfielder Alexandru Cicaldau amid interest from Everton, according to Emanuel Rosu.
The Romanian journalist, who has written for the likes of the Guardian and FourFourTwo, claimed via his verified Twitter profile on Friday evening that the Blues had been tracking his countryman.
“Cicaldau was a target for Sampdoria, Cagliari and even Everton,” he wrote.
However, as alluded to by Rosu, Turkish giants Galatasaray are the frontrunners for the 14-cap international.
The deal is not as clear-cut as Rosu suggests, though, with Galatasaray tweeting that “official negotiations have started” with Universitatea Craiova regarding a transfer.
On the rise
Cicaldau isn’t a well-known name in England, but his star has been slowly rising after becoming one of the hottest properties in Romania.
He has been named in the Liga 1 Team of the Season for three successive years, scoring 33 goals for Craiova since his 2018 signing from Viitoril Constanta.
Cicaldau scored 12 times last season, including 11 in the league, and he now looks destined to leave his homeland this summer.
However, it appears Galatasaray are clear favourites for his signature.
If Everton are serious about their interest, it would appear the club have to accelerate an approach for him given discussions have been initiated between Galatasaray and Craiova.
Central midfield is not a position where we are in desperate need – Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure are solid first-choice options as it stands, while Tom Davies, Andre Gomes and Fabian Delph provide back-up – but the futures of the latter three are up for debate after failing to fully convince supporters.
But Allan is not known for his goalscoring exploits, and Doucoure scored just twice in the league last season and his output in front of goal has gradually decreased since hitting seven for Watford in the 2017/18 campaign.
A young, goalscoring midfielder would be welcomed with open arms, but we could be set to miss out on Cicaldau.
In other Everton news, the Blues are in work permit talks over a deal for this Dutch defender who was seen at Finch Farm recently.
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