Everton want to sign Stuttgart striker Sasa Kalajdzic amid £17m transfer development
Everto are among the clubs in pursuit of colossal Stuttgart striker Sasa Kalajdzic, according to the Mail On Sunday.
The newspaper reported via their print edition on 7 August (page 141) that Chelsea and Manchester United are also keen on signing the 6ft 7in powerhouse, who celebrated his 25th birthday last month.
It is understood that Stuttargart have made the Austria international available for £17million.
Get him in
It says a lot about Kalajdzic that two of the big-six Premier League clubs are keeping tabs on him.
Last season, the former Admira Wacker striker scored six goals in 15 Bundesliga appearances as he had to deal with an injury-hit campaign.
He was, however, more prolific in 2020/21, netting 16 times in 33 league appearances for Stuttgart.
Kalajdzic would be a massive handful for Premier League defenders to deal with and would be a good fit to stand in for Dominic Calvert-Lewin when he’s injured – which happens so often – while also jumping ahead of Salomon Rondon in the pecking order.
Based on Calvert-Lewin’s poor form last season, Kalajdzic could even be the first-choice striker at Goodison.
According to Bundesliga.com, Kalajdzic can be compared to Peter Crouch while Stuttgart head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo has said that he’s “invaluable” for his team.
Former Austria head coach Franco Foda has said “he’s on fire in front of goal”.
For £17million, he’d be a good signing but after the expensive addition of Amadou Onana from Lille, the Blues need to ensure that their Financial Fair Play situation is kept in check.
Everton are working alongside the Premier League to ensure they’re not falling foul of any rules so we wouldn’t be totally shocked if this deal doesn’t happen.
However, there should be some money to play with after Richarlison’s big-money move to Tottenham earlier in the summer and signing Kalajdzic for a reduced fee might not be impossible.
Man United and Chelsea’s interest is a concern but he’ll surely play more games for Frank Lampard at Goodison than he would at either Old Trafford or Stamford Bridge.