Everton want to sign Matthew Hoppe this summer
Schalke striker Matthew Hoppe has drawn transfer interest from Everton and Arsenal, claims American journalist Grant Wahl.
The 20-year-old, who is enjoying a good Gold Cup for the USMNT, is likely to be on the move this summer and is expected to sort out his future once the tournament finishes.
Last season, he also became the first American to score a hat-trick in the Bundesliga and by doing so he ensured that Schalke avoided equalling the longest-ever winless streak in the German top flight.
Via his personal Twitter account, the Octagon journalist said, "Hearing Matthew Hoppe (who’s having a good Gold Cup) is now drawing interest from Arsenal and Everton."
"It’s looking likely he’ll make a move from Schalke following Gold Cup."
Worth looking into
Hoppe isn't a name whose numbers have set the Bundesliga alight, but at 20, he certainly appears to be one for the future.
Playing for a Schalke side that eventually got relegated, there wasn't much he could do other than scoring six league goals, but as time progresses, he's certainly going to develop into a potent and lethal goal scorer.
There's always a caveat, especially while signing strikers from overseas, that they may appear good in a different league, but the Premier League is an entirely different ball game.
While that is true, Hoppe appears to have all the tools to succeed in England.
Schalke's relegation coupled with an interest in his services from Everton will make him consider his future.
Even if they were in the Bundesliga, players looking to take the next step either move to Bayern Munich or Borussia Dortmund and if they're unable to get that transfer then they often look to the Premier League as it is an illustrious and the world's richest footballing competition.
Should we sign him, he would probably play a lot of Premier League 2 games and make the odd league and cup appearance as it takes players time to adapt to life in England.
It remains to be seen if we manage to sign him over Arsenal.
In other Everton news, Benitez tells Everton player he's not in his plans for next season - report