Koeman wish list: Everton ready to spend third of £100m transfer budget on midfield ace

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Published on:

16 Jun 2016, 3:02 am

By Alex Stevens

Everton are weighing up a stunning swoop for midfield ace Kevin Strootman as Ronald Koeman draws up his transfer hit-list, according to a report.

The Roma player has two years remaining on his contract and could leave the Italian club this summer.

The Liverpool Echo claim Koeman is considering a move for Strootman, who is rated in the £30million bracket.

The newly appointed Goodison manager is set to be handed a club-record £100million transfer kitty plus the proceeds from the sale of any players this summer as he aims to revamp an underachieving squad.

The 53-year-old has highlighted central midfield as a key area to strengthen and reports have also linked Everton with interest in Belgium’s Alex Witsel.

Holland international Strootman has been dogged by injury during his time at Roma but is regarded across Europe as a top quality central midfielder.

The 26-year-old, who joined the Italian club from PSV in a big money move in 2013, tore his anterior cruciate knee ligament and was forced to undergo three operations.

Following an excellent first season in Serie A, Strootman has been restricted to just 13 club games in the past two years.

Strootman returned to the side in February after suffering a set-back last season and said: “After three operations, I’m back at the Olimpico for a match that we won 5-0. It’s perfect, I’m over the moon. Finally, I feel like a footballer again.”

Arsenal and Manchester United have been strongly linked with the powerful midfielder in the past but Everton’s new-found wealth means there are in the market for players of Strootman’s calibre.

In other Everton news, the club have finalised a triple deal for £23million.

Everton FC