Everton have yet to make an outfield signing this summer and they will be hoping to accelerate their transfer business in the coming weeks. It is clear from the players they have been linked with that a goalscoring midfielder and a new keeper are a priority for Ronald Koeman. They were believed to be in for Gini Wijnaldum, who has since joined rivals Liverpool. A new link made on Friday was with Gylfi Sigurdsson, which is exciting for Everton fans. The Icelandic midfielder has been one of the best goalscoring midfielders in the Premier League over the last few years and would improve the Everton starting eleven.
The Telegraph report that Koeman is set to make a £25m move for Sigurdsson as a marquee signing. Steve Walsh, the newly appointed director of football, and Koeman both targeted Sigurdsson at their former clubs and now have the finances behind them to make a move possible. It won’t be easy to convince Swansea to sell their key man, but the possibility of a prominent role in the new era at Everton may be enough to get Sigurdsson to help push a move through.
At the age of 26, Sigurdsson is approaching his peak years and he has the ability to play for a top six club. That is where Everton will be hoping to be under their new regime. They have a good base to their squad, but it needs to be refreshed and Koeman showed at Southampton that he can rebuild a squad. The Swansea midfielder has the star quality to come in and instantly improve the side. Having him at the club may help Ross Barkley as Sigurdsson is an excellent decision maker in the final third, something that Barkley needs to improve on.
For Sigurdsson, it will be a tough decision if a deal is agreed between the two clubs. He failed to break into the Tottenham side and that will always be a regret for the Icelandic midfielder. A move to Everton could give him the opportunity to show that he can be a star at a bigger club. On the other hand, Swansea is a good fit for him and he has played his best football in South Wales. The last time he left, his career stalled and he can’t afford a similar spell now. Also Everton have a lot of work to do before challenging in the top six and that may put Sigurdsson off moving to Goodison Park.
In terms of his style, Sigurdsson will be well known to Premier League fans. He is an attack-minded midfielder, who makes things happen in the final third. He has the ability to create and score goals, as he has displayed at Swansea. Last season he scored 11 goals and contributed 3 assists. His ability to score from range, both in open play and free kicks is another reason why he will appeal to Koeman. At the Euros, he showed that he could work hard and contribute defensively. He unselfishly put the side ahead of his own game and showed there was more to his game than scoring goals.
Gylfi Sigurdsson would be a great signing if Everton manage to complete the move. He has already showed that he has the ability to score frequently in the Premier League and goals from the midfield can be invaluable. Everton need to bring in two or three quality players this summer and Sigurdsson would be a good start. Signing a player of Sigurdsson’s ability will also help keep the good feeling among the support base, especially when John Stones and Romulu Lukaku are being linked with a move away. It will be a tough transfer to do, as Swansea won’t be willing sellers, but it would be a huge coup if Everton manage to complete it.
