Dan Friedkin readies first new Everton transfer since takeover
Everton have already held discussions over the signing of Hakim Ziyech from Galatasaray in January, according to Jeunes Footeux.
The French outlet reported on 23 December that with Rennes, Villarreal, Real Sociedad and Girona all keen on the wantaway Moroccan next month, Dan Friedkin's Blues are hoping to steal a march on them.
A right-winger is top of the Toffees' agenda in the January window as they look to upgrade on Napoli loanee Jesper Lindstrom, with Ziyech making clear to Galatasaray that he wants to leave.
Sean Dyche's side aren't the only Premier League club keen on bringing Ziyech back to England, but following Friedkin's successful takeover, the Blues are looking to make their first signing since.
Hakim Ziyech transfer would be clear Friedkin statement at Everton
Although Ziyech is now 31 and has failed to score since signing for Galatasaray permanently last summer, the Morocco international is still a player who can make an impact at Premier League level.
Ziyech's time at Ajax and glimpses shown during his three-year spell at Chelsea suggest that if he were to be the choice for Everton's right flank in January, he would indeed be an upgrade on Lindstrom.
The likes of West Brom winger Tom Fellows have also been mooted over potential January moves, but it remains to be seen if Friedkin would prefer to invest in a proven wideman over pure, raw talent.
Alongside Lindstrom, Jack Harrison's long-term future with the Blues is also uncertain given the Leeds loanee's erratic form, but that should be much simpler to resolve now Friedkin's takeover is complete.
What is clear, however, is that the Toffees want to sign a right winger in January who can be one of the faces of a new era on Merseyside, and they'll be hoping that Ziyech can be just that.
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