Everton want "outstanding" left-back who has outshone Mykolenko this season
da betcris： Everton are “working” on a potential deal for an “outstanding” defender in the summer transfer window, according to an update from journalist Graeme Bailey.
Moyes eyeing new signings for Everton
da dobrowin： The Toffees continue to be linked with possible new signings this summer, with Greece and Benfica striker Vangelis Pavlidis emerging as an exciting option to make David Moyes’ side more of an attacking force.
The 26-year-old has enjoyed an excellent season, scoring a combined 21 goals in the Champions League and Primeira Liga, registering seven assists across those competitions.
Meanwhile, Everton have also been linked with a shock move for Liverpool winger Ben Doak at the end of the season, which would send shockwaves across Merseyside.
The Scot is on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough and there is no guarantee that he has a long-term future at Anfield, which could lead to Everton pouncing for one of their rivals’ most exciting young players.
Whether the Reds would allow him to join their arch-rivals is up for debate, though.
Everton want to sign "outstanding" left-back
Speaking to Everton News, Bailey said that Everton want to sign Sunderland left-back Dennis Cirkin at the end of the season, with other Black Cats players also mentioned:
“They are one of the teams who are looking at Dennis Cirkin, the left-back at Sunderland. We know Crystal Palace and Tottenham like him.
“Obviously, Everton are looking at Sunderland with Anthony Patterson, Chris Rigg and Dan Neil. The Championship is a division which David Moyes knows very well.
“Cirkin is someone on their list, and they are doing work on the full-back position, I know that.”
Cirkin may be a Championship player, but he could be a great addition for Everton, having been such a consistent performer for Sunderland over an extended period.
Prior to this weekend’s action, the 23-year-old has scored three goals and bagged two assists in the league this season, highlighting the quality he can provide from left-back, which is five times the amount of goal contributions Vitalii Mykolenko had managed in the Premier League (zero goals and one assist).
Cirkin vs. Mykolenko in the league this season
Stat
Cirkin
Mykolenko
Appearances
34
29
Starts
29
29
Minutes played
2632
2544
Goals
3
0
Assists
2
1
Clearances per game
2.6
4
Tackles per game
2.5
1.8
Aerial duel wins per game
1.2
1.5
Cirkin is a player with plenty of admirers, including former striker Sam Parkin, who has described him as an “outstanding” footballer, saying:
“I think he has been one of the most outstanding players in the division this season. When you watch him live, he is a very good athlete. I think he gets up and down; it is eye-catching, the way he moves with the ball, but his decision-making on the ball and his ability on the ball have been top-class this season.”
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At 23, Cirkin still has lots to offer, and the lure of the Premier League could be great if Sunderland fail to earn promotion, so Everton should be looking at him as an excellent option.