Forget 26-year-old Ligue 1 ace, Everton must do all they can to sign Sigurdsson
COMMENT By Will Butcher
Nice’s Jean Seri has already attracted a huge amount of interest this summer from plenty of Europe’s biggest sides, and Ronald Koeman has now thrown Everton’s name into the hat.
Guardian reporter Ed Aarons claimed on his personal Twitter account that the 26-year-old has been identified by the Toffees as their second choice, if they fail to complete a deal to sign Gylfi Sigurdsson.
It is said that Everton are just one of a whole host of sides interested in the Ivory Coast international, with Inter Milan, Arsenal, Tottenham and Barcelona all keen.
However, the Toffees should avoid signing the former Pacos Ferreira ace and throw all their eggs into one basket in the pursuit of Sigurdsson.
Seri has burst onto the scene at 26 years of age, without impressing previously and although he has shown plenty of quality to avoid the title as a one-season wonder, it must be considered.
Scoring seven goals in 39 games from attacking midfield is steady at best, as Nice finished second in the top tier of French football but it is certainly is outstanding.
French outlet RMC claim Seri will only be allowed to leave the club if his release clause of £35.8million is met this summer, and Everton should avoid such a move because he is simply not worth that figure.
In spark contrast, former Spurs star Sigurdsson is definitely worth the £50million figure that Swansea are quoting the Toffees, according to the Sun.
Sigurdsson managed nine goals and 13 assists in the Premier League last season, featuring in every single one of Swansea’s 38 games. In a side near the bottom, that kind of form is breathtaking.
A proven Premier League performer, Sigurdsson has continued to prove his worth for years rather than Seri’s one season in the spotlight, as well as offering bags of quality from set-piece situations.
Able to play anywhere in the final third, the 27-year-old Iceland international can also offer Everton versatility as well as trickery on the ball and an unwavering enthusiasm to do well.
At all costs, and for the good of the club, Koeman should avoid wasting owner Farhad Moshiri’s money on Seri and pay the extra £15million to sign Sigurdsson.
In other Everton transfer news, here are three ways in which Sigurdsson can fit into Koeman’s starting eleven.
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