Everton in talks to sign PL free-kick specialist, manager wants deal done by next week – Times

Sat 5 August 2017 11:09, UK

By Aramide Oladipo

Everton have reopened talks with Swansea City over the potential signing of attacking midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson, according to a report.

The Times claims that the Merseyside club are hopeful that they can get a deal over the line for the 27-year-old with the Swans eager to receive £50million, including add-ons for him.

The Toffees would break their club record transfer fee for the second time this summer should the midfielder complete a deal after spending £30million on new goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

The newspaper claims that Everton boss Ronald Koeman has placed the midfielder at the top of his summer target list, and he is desperate for him to join up with the squad by the start of the following week before their opening Premier League clash against Stoke City.

Since securing a move to the Premier League in 2012, Sigurdsson has scored the most free-kicks in the top flight, notching up seven goals from set-piece situations.

The Iceland international currently has three years remaining on his contract at the Liberty Stadium.

Football Insider verdict

Everton have managed to sign the majority of targeted players this summer and it appears that it’s only a matter of time before Sigurdsson completes a move to Goodison Park. Should Swansea manage to receive around £50million for the midfielder, they should be congratulated because although Sigurdsson is a fine player, he surely shouldn’t be valued so high – even in this current transfer market. With Koeman recently announcing that Ross Barkley will leave the club this summer, the Iceland international is a great replacement and he would certainly add more goals and assists to the team and help them mount a serious challenge on the top four places.