Ronald Koeman’s Everton failed to hold on to a one goal advantage in an eventful match at the Etihad in the second game of the season as they picked up just a point, taking their tally to four this season. The manager still does not seem convinced with his options and wants to add another couple of players before the deadline day, to make sure that his side can compete for a place in Europe next season.
This has seen him linked with some of the finest stars in world football and one name constantly doing the rounds now is Italian star Stefano Sturaro.
According to a number of reports, Everton are one of many clubs who are monitoring his situation and want to show him a way out of Turin if he is interested. West Ham United, Crystal Palace and Stoke City are also scouting him as a potential target but Everton seem confident that they will be able to land him this summer.
Reports claim that Juventus are ready to off-load him for anything close to £18m so should Everton meet their valuation?
Born and brought up in Sanremo, Italy, Sturaro started his top flight youth career with Genoa in 2008 and made it to the first team in 2012 as a teenager. However, just two years and 16 senior appearances later, he was snapped up by Italian Champions Juventus in 2014 but ever since, the 24-year-old has failed to have the same kind of impact expected of him, failing to establish himself in the first team.
He made his first international appearance for Italy last year and has already got four caps to his name and is a decent player to have in the squad. A central midfielder by trait, Sturaro can play anywhere in the midfield and is a utility player most top teams in Europe would love to have in their squad.
Strong and disciplined, the 24-year old is a defensively astute midfielder, who loves to sit back and provide cover for his back line. His hold up play and strength in the air along with his ability to make darting runs into the final third make him an attractive option for Everton.
Koeman has the likes of Morgan Schneiderlin, Idrissa Gueye and Tom Davies playing in similar roles but they lack depth. James McCarthy is also an option but Koeman does not seem to trust him while Barry has turned 36 already and might not be able to run the midfield consistently. So Sturaro is a player Everton actually need this summer but can Koeman sign him up?
