‘Everton advance in Mitrovic pursuit after Al-Hilal, Besiktas updates’
Everton look to be moving to the fore in the race for a deal with Al-Hilal on Aleksandar Mitrovic after an update on his mooted move to Turkey with Besiktas.
The Toffees look set to undertake an ambitious overhaul of their squad this summer, with five first-teamers having already been released and several more set to join them.
But so far, it has been slow-going for David Moyes‘ side. Carlos Alcaraz’s loan from Flamengo has been made permanent.
However, despite plenty of links and rumours, Everton are yet to actually make a signing that wasn’t pre-agreed before the window opened.
The burning priority is signing a striker, as Dominic Calvert-Lewin looks set to leave, Neal Maupay has joined Marseille, and for as good as his purple patch was last season, Beto remains an inconsistent player.
Everton facing difficulties in doing Thierno Barry deal
According to The Athletic, Thierno Barry remains a key target for Everton.
But their pursuit of the Villareal striker has been complicated as the 22-year-old is currently playing in the Under-21 European Championship for France.
Plus, Barry has a €40million (£34.26m) release clause that may be too high for Everton’s liking.
The club would “prefer to negotiate with Villarreal rather than trigger that clause.”
However, with interest in Barry as high as it is, it is difficult to see why the Yellow Submarines would accept an offer below his release clause.
Al Hilal may be willing to negotiate deal for Aleksandar Mitrovic
Everton are in the running to sign Mitrovic this summer, and the striker is reportedly willing to take a pay cut to return to England [talkSPORT], which itself could play into the Toffees’ hands.
The Serbian striker has scored freely whilst in the Middle East, but at 30 years old, he is a depreciating asset.
Mitrovic was a notable absence from Al-Hilal’s Club World Cup opener against Real Madrid, despite being the club’s leading scorer.
Saudi clubs have reigned in their cash-splashing since the chaotic 2023 summer window. That year £700m was spent on players [BBC Sport], but in recent windows, spending has been greatly curtailed as clubs look to become more sustainable projects long-term outside of eye-catching attempts to tempt megastars like Mohamed Salah.
Ex-England goalkeeper Paul Robinson told Football Insider that Mitrovic would cost Everton around £40m.
That fee would be a problem, but given the Serbian striker’s value will drop with every window he remains in Saudi Arabia, there may be a willingness to work on a fee that suits for both parties.
Besiktas update plays into Everton’s hands
Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu also revealed on X that reports of a bid from Besiktas for the striker were false.
This massively plays into Everton’s favour, as the club may struggle if a bidding war ensued.
Whilst Mitrovic has already hit his 30s and will have little to no resale value very far into the future, the Toffees are in need of a striker who can guarantee them goals.
The former Fulham man is exactly that and with the club desperate to enjoy a successful first season at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, pushing the boat out, although not too far, for a man who has become a talisman at every club he has played for may be exactly what they need to inspire a surprise push for European football next season.