Perfect opportunity for Everton to sign Ibrahim Sangare as £35m transfer news emerges
Everton will need to pay £35m to trigger Ibrahim Sangare’s release clause at PSV Eindhoven presenting the club with the perfect opportunity to shake up their midfield this summer.
The Ivory Coast international’s contract at the Philips Stadion isn’t set to run out until 2027, but as Ruud van Nistelrooy’s best-performing defensive player, as per WhoScored, he’s been attracting much interest for his assured performances for the Dutch giants.
The 25-year-old has made 38 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring four times and providing one assist with his club currently sitting third in the table behind Feyenoord and Ajax.
“Everton are one of the most active English teams on the transfer market,” according to Calciomercato [12 April]. “One of the areas that most needs reinforcements is the midfield.
“In this regard, the Toffees have their eye on Ibrahim Sangare.
“His contract expires in 2027, but anyone who wants to secure the Ivorian must meet the £35m release clause.”
Providing Everton secure their Premier League status for next season, club manager Sean Dyche and the much-maligned recruitment team will be looking to undergo a major rebuild of the squad which has suffered from constant mismanagement over the years.
One of those positions which will need the most urgent rebuild is the midfield, especially with the likes of key man Amadou Onana linked with a summer exit, with both Arsenal and Chelsea lining up summer bids for the Belgian, according to Het Nieuwsblad [5 April] and Abdoulaye Doucoure on an expiring contract at Goodison Park.
Also, Senegalese international Idrissa Gueye has flattered to deceive since his move from Paris Saint-Germain last summer which means Dyche will need a potential replacement and given Sangare’s new emerging release clause, Everton may not find a better opportunity to address their midfield woes.
Lauded as a “class act” and someone who can control a midfield by journalist Josh Bunting, and possessing strong qualities in both the defensive and offensive aspects of his game, we think he would be the perfect candidate to lead Dyche’s potential new-look midfield next season.
The 6 foot 3 colossus would certainly add a different and perfect dimension to the centre of the pitch at Goodison with his height, naturally sitting in front of the back four and getting stuck in while consistently stopping attacks, as shown by him ranking in the 93rd percentile for blocks and in the 90th for tackles among players in his position at similar-level competitions over the past year, [FBref].
Imagine the partnership Sangare could form with the marauding presence of Onana if Everton were to convince the Belgian ace to remain on Merseyside for the foreseeable future – a tantalising prospect for any manager, let alone Dyche.
The Ivory Coast international has registered seven goals and provided three assists in 38 appearances across all competitions this season, so is able to make a positive difference at both ends of the pitch, meaning the Blues shouldn’t even have to think twice about wrapping up a deal this summer.