Everton still have Kobbie Mainoo hope as £34.8m summer transfer lined up
Everton’s hunt to sign Kobbie Mainoo could be reignited in the summer.
Between now and May, Everton‘s only focus will be on what happens on the pitch, with the Toffees somewhat in the conversation for European qualification.
Should a top-six club win the FA Cup, eight European spots will become available in the Premier League, and Everton currently sit in eighth, just two points away from Liverpool in sixth.
However, it won’t be too long until attention turns to the summer transfer window and the decisions needed within it, and a new move could be made to sign Mainoo.
Manchester United eye new midfield arrival
Mainoo was heavily linked with Everton, not just in the summer, but was also mooted as a target throughout the winter window, given the lack of gametime he was getting at Old Trafford.
However, Ruben Amorim’s sacking, matched by the arrival of Michael Carrick, changed that, with the Englishman now playing a prominent role in the heart of their midfield.
Mainoo has demoted Manuel Ugarte to the bench with his performances, but a report from Fichajes now states that the Red Devils are looking to make a move for Rocco Reitz.
The Monchengladbach midfielder has a very similar profile to Mainoo, and while the most likely outcome is that the German would replace Casemiro, it could just spark interest from Everton again.
Reitz is set to be available for a fee in the region of £34.8million, and his arrival could perhaps tempt the Toffees into making a fresh move for Mainoo.
Rocco Reitz interest should give Everton extra optimism
Not only could it unlock potential talks for Mainoo, but it also suggests that Man United have moved on from their interest in signing James Garner.
The 24-year-old was linked with a return to Old Trafford, but later put pen to paper on a new long-term deal at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Garner has arguably been Everton’s best player this season, and there was a strong sense that interest would remain even after his new contract.
However, for Man United to have been linked with Reitz suggests that the Toffees can rest easy knowing that Garner is looking increasingly likely to be an Everton player next season.