Everton have ‘lined up’ Noussair Mazraoui for transfer
Everton are planning to sign Ajax right-back Noussair Mazraoui in the summer despite signing Nathan Patterson, according to Ryan Taylor.
The Express Sport journalist reports that current transfer plans have been thrown into “limbo” with the departure of Rafael Benitez and the club do not want to waste money on players who may not feature in the next manager’s plans.
The Moroccan is out of contract in the summer and is lined up to slot into Seamus Coleman’s role in the team.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Taylor said: “I know Mazraoui, the Ajax right-back, is a player who is being lined up for the summer.
“They want to bring in another right-back even though they have signed Patterson.
“They want someone who could potentially slot straight into the team with Seamus Coleman expected to take up a more experienced role within the squad, as a squad player and leader.”
Hot competition
The 24-year-old has made 12 appearances for his national team and is interesting clubs around Europe so the Toffees face stiff competition for his signature.
AS are reporting that Barcelona have opened negotiations for a direct swap between the Ajax man and American Serginho Dest, while Calcio Mercato report that both Juventus and Roma are interested in the free agent signing.
Additionally Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Leeds are thought to hold an interested in the player, so if Everton want him to slot straight into their team they should not wait around.
This only makes the ongoing saga for finding the new manager, and the lack of a director of football, all the more unhelpful, with The Athletic reporting that the lack of either at Goodison means progress is not being made in the market because it is not part of Duncan Ferguson’s remit.
The sooner they can switch focus from the manager search to focusing on addressing the player squad the better.
In other Everton news, the club have been tipped for a relegation battle by this pundit.