Everton ready to trigger release clause of Mallorca midfielder Iddrisu Baba in January
Everton have made enquiries over Real Mallorca midfielder Iddrisu Baba and are ready to trigger his £38.4million release clause in January, according to GhanaSoccerNet.
Baba, 25, is a long-time target of Rafa Benitez and the Blues boss wants to bring him to Merseyside next month.
Ghanasoccernet reported Everton's interest last month (2 November) with the suggestion that a move may be made next summer, but their recent claim shows that they want to speed up that process for the five-cap Ghana international.
Starring in Spain
Baba has certainly impressed the Mallorca manager with his performances, as Luis Garcia Plaza said last month, via GhanaSoccerNet (6 November): “So far Baba is being the best of the team. He is having an incredible season. He not only cuts balls, scores goals, helps in attack. I have already told him that he has to continue working, but he has earned himself the essential role."
Lining up in the middle of midfield for the newly-promoted La Liga side, Baba recently helped Mallorca beat Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano (4 December), a result that lifted them to 12th.
Only six players have made more tackles per game (2.6) than Baba in Spain's top-tier [WhoScored].
Everton currently have Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure in central midfield but their recent eight-game winless run, plus the introduction of Andre Gomes from the bench in the 2-1 win over Arsenal on Monday (6 November), has added to the feeling that Benitez should be employing a three-man midfield.
For that, he will need to sign another midfielder with Fabian Delph, Tom Davies and Jean-Phillipe Gbamin seemingly surplus to requirements.
With just one goal and one assist to his name in La Liga this season, Baba would surely arrive as a more defensive option to allow Doucoure to roam further forwards.
But the big sticking point with Baba is his release clause - can Everton really afford to pay that price in January, with all of their recent financial issues?