Report: Everton narrow midfield enforcer shortlist to three £20million-plus stars

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Published on:

30 Jun 2016, 4:27 pm

By Coral Barry

Everton have drawn up a three-man shortlist of midfield powerhouses as Ronald Koeman looks to land a big name player this summer, according to a report.

Koeman has identified adding a combative midfielder to his ranks as a priority and has been linked with several players inside and outside the Premier League.

The Daily Mail claim that search has been narrowed to three names with £20million-plus trio Axel Witsel of Zenit St Petersburg, William Carvalho of Sporting Lisbon and Manchester United's Morgan Schneiderlin all being considered.

While Witsel has already made clear he will be seeking a move away from Russia this summer, Koeman is hopeful his relationship with Schneiderlin could help tempt the 26-year-old to Goodison Park.

Schneiderlin played under Koeman while he was still a Southampton player and is thought to have been disappointed with his first season at United following his £24million transfer last summer.

Witsel is rumoured to be attracting the attentions of Premier League rivals Chelsea as well as Serie A giants Napoli with the 28-year-old currently on international duty with Belgium in Euro 2016.

Carvalho, 24, has been continually linked with a move to one of Europe's biggest clubs in recent seasons.

It is claimed that Koeman has been given a £1oomillion war chest for summer signings the Dutchman is reportedly willing to spend around one third of that on a midfielder.

In other Everton transfer news, the Toffees are closing in on Koeman's first signing as manager.

Everton FC

Morgan Schneiderlin

Ronald Koeman

William Carvalho

Axel Witsel