Everton send scouts to watch Joan Gonzalez, Lecce want £8.8m
Everton are among several clubs who are scouting Lecce starlet Joan Gonzalez with eyes on a potential January transfer, according to Calcio Mercato.
The 20-year-old has recently signed a new deal with the Serie A club but that has done little to deter clubs away from the Stadio Ettore Giardiniero this season.
The central midfielder, who can also play as a right winger, has already played 16 matches this season in Italy’s top flight with one goal and two assists to his name.
As well as the Toffees, Tottenham Hotspur, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan have all been regular attendees at Lecce games this season with Gonzalez high in their agendas.
The Spaniard’s new deal means that Lecce want at least £8.8million to sell him in January although that price could increase further if he continues impressing on the pitch.
For the future
When the summer comes around, Everton can start to make signings looking at the future such as Gonzalez but January has to be all about the immediate and this season’s relegation scrap.
A 20-year-old is not likely to be the catalyst for survival for a second season running after Anthony Gordon’s inspiration last time around and Frank Lampard surely knows that.
Experience and leadership has never been more important at Goodison Park and the more they are able to bring in this month, the better their chances of avoiding the Championship will be.
Kevin Thelwell may already be working with a very limited budget anyway so there is no reason why he should waste any of it on a relatively unproven player who may not even start.
Any January signings have to be game-changing for Everton this season or they may as well not even bother being completed at all.