Fabrizio Romano hints at Everton interest in Villa’s El Ghazi
As Everton wantaway Lucas Digne pursues a transfer to Premier League rivals Aston Villa, the Toffees may move for one of Steven Gerrard’s players, according to Fabrizio Romano.
As reported by Sky Sports’ Rob Dorsett, Digne looks to be heading to the Midlands for a fee of roughly £20-25million but Rafael Benitez wants something more than a transfer fee.
The Spaniard is interested in bringing Dutch international Anwar El Ghazi to Goodison Park and are working to make a deal work both ways.
A worthwhile swap
Everton has been keen to see Digne leave the club for a while after his widely-reported falling out with Benitez and it looks like they will finally get their wish.
Digne’s departure would open the door for another incoming having already brought in his replacement in the form of Ukrainian Vitaliy Mykolenko.
Evertonians would have been happy with just cash for the Frenchman but El Ghazi would be a fantastic addition if all the deals can be agreed.
The 26-year-old has been starved of appearances at Villa Park this season with just four games in the league, scoring once.
On his day though, El Ghazi can make the best of full-backs look a little silly and his quality would be a huge asset to Benitez’s armoury.
He would come in and play on the right of midfield where Andros Townsend and more recently Anthony Gordon have been operating but both could be repositioned to accommodate a player like El Ghazi.
The Digne deal may be close to completion but the El Ghazi negotiations are still in their early musings and it is unknown if the player would be keen on the move.
In other Everton news, they’ve been dealt a blow in their pursuit of this Serie A star.