Everton retain interest in Karl Etta Eyong ahead of summer transfer window – Here’s why
Former Everton target Karl Etta Eyong looks set for an early exit from Levante this summer, with the Toffees still in the race for his signature.
The 22-year-old moved from Villarreal to Levante in the last summer window, but it now looks like they already want rid.
The La Liga club have received an offer for the Cameroon star from CSKA Moscow, thought to be around £26million.
However, despite the Valencia-based club seeking to part ways, Etta Eyong has no interest in making the move to Russia at this time.
According to Ben Jacobs, Everton are among those still interested in signing the 22-year-old ahead of the summer window, and there could be one clear reason as to why.
How does Etta Eyong compare to Everton’s current options?
Much has been made of Everton’s striker issues this season, with Beto and Thierno Barry far from consistent in front of goal.
In the summer window, the Blues are likely to seek an upgrade on one of the two, with Beto’s minutes seemingly pointing towards him being the most probable exit.
Etta Eyong is a player who has interested Everton for quite some time, and the Cameroonian has been outperforming the current crop at the Hill Dickinson Stadium this season.
However, the biggest difference between Etta Eyong and the current options is how effective he is in his individual battles.
The Levante striker’s 50 per cent ground duel success is far and away an improvement on what Toffees fans have been seeing from Beto (26.3%) and Barry (19.3%) this campaign.
Everton’s number nines do not come close to the Cameroonian in that regard.
Being able to win your duels in the Premier League is an important trait due to the physical nature of the football on display, as well as far more goal involvements in fewer appearances.
It is likely one of the many reasons why the African forward is of interest to David Moyes and Everton.
Etta Eyong may be too much of a risk for Everton
There are too many similarities between Etta Eyong, Beto and Barry. While the noticeable improvements in strength as per the ground duel success rate are positive, the goalscoring rate is similar.
Out of the three, Barry actually comes out on top as the most clinical finisher, according to Sofascore.
| Player | Goal conversion % |
| Thierno Barry | 16 |
| Karl Etta Eyong | 15 |
| Beto | 13 |
At 22 years old, Etta Eyong is still quite a raw prospect and has yet to have a full season in the top flight.
Last campaign, the majority of his appearances came for Villarreal B. Right now, Everton cannot afford to take another risk in the forward department.
While Etta Eyong may be a decent signing, he would simply have to arrive as a complement to another striker in the summer due to that lack of experience.
Now isn’t the time for another experiment.
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