Everton make headlines with Robin Le Normand transfer now on cards for Friedkins
Everton’s summer planning looks to be underway, with Atletico Madrid’s Robin Le Normand shortlisted as a top target already.
The Toffees are currently enjoying one of their better seasons in recent years, with European qualification on the cards for David Moyes.
Only six points separate Everton from the Champions League places, with the Toffees well placed to finish in Europa League or Conference League positions if they cannot make the top five.
Those at the Hill Dickinson Stadium are seemingly not waiting to find out the outcome of the season, as business for the summer is starting to play out.
With Michael Keane’s contract expiring in the summer and Jarrad Branthwaite linked with an exit, a new centre-back will be needed for Everton, and Le Normand looks to have been identified.
Everton to send offer for Robin Le Normand
At 29 years old, Le Normand is a seasoned pro but still has quite a few years at the top level of football to go yet.
The Spanish defender was a key member of the Spain squad that won EURO 2024, starting five of the six games he was available for.
Additionally, the Atletico star featured heavily for the Madrid-based club earlier in the season.
However, since a month-long knee injury back in November, he has not found his way back into Diego Simeone’s starting line-up, making just one start in La Liga since 13 December.
Everton could now be poised to swoop in, as, according to Fichajes, Moyes’ side are “making headlines” as they target Le Normand ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Spanish defender is said to be a “top priority” for the Friedkins at L3, as the player fits perfectly into the style that Moyes plays at the Toffees.
The report states that the Blues have the intention of sending an offer before other clubs to avoid a potential bidding war.
How does Le Normand compare to Keane and Tarkowski?
Of course, with Branthwaite injured for most of the season so far, it is hard to compare the Englishman to Le Normand.
However, we can still do so for Everton’s most-used centre-backs this season.
| Statistic | James Tarkowski | Michael Keane | Robin Le Normand |
| Tackles | 1.4 | 1.1 | 1.1 |
| Clearances | 7.0 | 7.1 | 3.7 |
| Blocks | 1.4 | 0.9 | 0.2 |
| Duel success % | 68% | 60% | 62% |
| Passing accuracy | 80% | 86% | 91% |
| Dribbled past | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.4 |
As the stats, sourced via Sofascore, show, Le Normand is quite a different profile than what Moyes currently has at his disposal.
Le Normand is not as active defensively as either James Tarkowski or Keane, which, contextualised, is likely down to Everton sitting deeper more often than Atletico Madrid.
However, his duel success is certainly decent, with the Spaniard more dominant than Keane but falling short of Tarkowski.
Where the real differences come in is the passing accuracy, as it shows the Atletico man is much more confident and composed when on the ball.
Everton have also been linked with Marco Senesi, so if two central defenders are required, the Blues would do well to obtain both.
With Europe on the cards, it’s time to start shopping big at Bramley Moore.