Everton want to sign versatile defender and midfielder Jean-Philippe Gbamin from Mainz, as per reports.
The midfield and the central defence are two key areas of concern for Marco Silva this summer, and the Daily Mail have reported that he has his sights on Gbamin.
Everton have already contacted Mainz, and the German Bundesliga outfit have slapped a price tag of £30 million on the defensive ace.
Under the tutelage of Silva, the Toffees finished eighth in the Premier League standings last season, and might need a few more additions to challenge the teams above them next season.
Andre Gomes, Fabian Delph and Jonas Lossl have been their only additions so far this summer.
Why Everton need to sign Gbamin
Kurt Zouma featured regularly in the heart of Silva’s backline last season, but he returned to his parent club Chelsea following the conclusion of his loan spell.
Zouma’s return to the Goodison Park is unlikely to happen considering that Frank Lampard’s side have been banned from signing players until the end of January 2020.
Besides, Sky Sports have claimed that Everton have agreed on a £28 million transfer fee with Paris Saint-Germain that will see midfielder Idrissa Gueye leave for Parc des Princes.
Considering all the aforementioned developments, Silva has to strengthen his defensive and midfield options and therefore, Gbamin’s versatility makes him a realistic and sensible target for the Merseyside club.
What will Gbamin bring to the table?
Having started his senior career at French side Lens, Gbamin moved to Mainz in the summer of 2016 and has established himself as a key player there.
Last season, he managed 31 appearances in the German top flight, and made 1.6 tackles and 1 interception per game on an average.
Gbamin prefers to play in the middle of the park to dictate the play, but is more than capable of operating effectively as a central defender and even as an attacking midfielder.
With an intimidating frame and physique, Gbamin is certainly a strong player and his ball-playing ability will help in bringing fluidity to Everton’s build-up play.
The Ivory Coast international might lack experience of English football, but he has the ingredients to make his presence felt in the Premier League.
