Nick Ware

Sun 15 August 2021 15:40, UK

The representatives of Everton-linked centre-forward Matthew Hoppe have travelled to Europe as they plot his Schalke escape, according to the Mirror.

The German outfit were relegated from the Bundesliga last season but 20-year-old Hoppe enjoyed a promising breakout campaign, scoring six goals in 22 league appearances.

The USA international could be available for £5million this summer [90min] and American broadcaster Grant Wahl claimed via his personal Twitter profile last month that Everton and Arsenal were eyeing him up.

The Mirror have now reported that Crystal Palace and Wolves are interested in the striker who could be granted a Schalke exit this summer.

The British newspaper also claims that Hoppe’s representatives have “come to Europe in the expectation of a deal happening”.

Exciting option

Everton’s need for a new centre-forward this summer is obvious with no obvious contenders at the club to rival or back up Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The England international can be assured of his place in Rafa Benitez’s starting XI after his 16-goal Premier League haul last term, but there are a shortage of strikers behind him.

Moise Kean and Cenk Tosun both left Goodison Park on loan last season and appear surplus to requirements under Benitez.

Whether the Blues can actually shift either on this summer remains to be seen, but another forward must be signed.

Hoppe could be an exciting addition to the club as a big and physical centre-forward.

He enjoyed an excellent maiden season in senior football with Schalke, even if it ended in disappointment as the German side were relegated.

The American scored his first international goal in July, netting the only goal as USA beat Jamaica in the quarter-final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

In other Everton news, an English midfielder has held Blues transfer talks amid Benitez contact.

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