Everton Insider shares club's planned Iliman Ndiaye replacement: 'The name I've seen...'
Everton are lining up a move to replace exit-linked winger Iliman Ndiaye with Bologna star Jonathan Rowe this summer.
That is according to former Toffees chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that David Moyes will want to replace the excitement that Ndiaye supplies if he does depart.
The 26-year-old is currently in talks with Al Hilal over a lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League, with the Middle Eastern outfit hoping to progress towards a deal this week.
Wyness believes that Everton will already have one eye on how they will spend their money if it comes through, as he believes Ndiaye is worth in the region of £70-£80million.
The Senegal international still has three years remaining on his contract on Merseyside, but the club may never get a better chance to net a huge fee for him.
If Ndiaye does depart, then Wyness believes that Rowe is a likely replacement, after a season that saw him notch eight goals and four assists for Bologna.
Everton recruitment team under pressure
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Moyes and the recruitment team will be under pressure if Ndiaye does depart.
The former boardroom man stressed that all eyes will be on the club to ensure that any incoming money is spent properly, and provides the reward that the club were hoping for.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness revealed that Rowe is a likely candidate to step into Ndiaye's shoes.
"He signed that (five-year) contract giving Everton the chance to get the money in, and it'll all be about how Everton are going to replace him," he said.
"The name I've seen mentioned is Jonathan Rowe from Bologna, who is one that I've seen that could be coming in to replace him. He's a similar type of exciting player.
"Moyes will want some excitement in the squad as well, so if you're getting £70-£80m, it's then again how do you spend it. We've seen so many clubs in the past get decent money in for transfers and then waste it on two or three.
"The pressure is pretty firmly on Moyes and the recruitment team at Everton right now to start spending and getting things right because there are a few positions that they need to get sorted."
Everton face Aston Villa battle for Jonathan Rowe
Former Aston Villa scout Mick Brown told Football Insider earlier in July that his former club are plotting a move to sign Rowe this summer.
The ex-recruitment man made it clear that the Villans had scouts watching the 23-year-old in Serie A throughout last season, and were impressed by what they saw.
Brown suggested that Villa rate the former England U21 international "very highly," and also noted that Unai Emery is looking to add another winger to his squad this summer.
With that in mind, Everton look set to face a battle on their hands if they do decide to move for Rowe, with Villa also able to offer Champions League football.