Everton are looking to make a swoop for Atalanta midfielder, Josip Ilicic in the next transfer window. The Toffees are still planning to expand their operations following a disappointing season in the Premier League after spending big ahead of the campaign.
Everton have accepted the current climate they are residing in and by the look of things have already got the ball rolling.They entered the summer transfer window season with an ambition to bolster the club ranks which will match strides with the elites.
They have so far spent £182.2m this season and have made a few star signings in Gylfi Sigurdsson, Theo Walcott, Michael Keane, Jordan Pickford and Cenk Tosun.
Ilicic is an attacking midfielder by trade but can appear from the flanks as well. He is capable of taking up a more offensive role as a shadow striker as well. His versatility has allowed Gian Piero Gasperini to rely on the 30-year-old heavily. Ilicic has shown up in 31 games for the Serie outfit in all competitions and has racked up 11 goals and 8 assists this season.
He arrived at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia in the summer of 2017 after spending 4 years with Fiorentina. Ilicic had impressed with 138 total appearances for the Violas and has been capped with for the Slovenia national team 50 times.
He has been a huge hit in the Italian league for the 7 years and might just be a good fit under Sam Allardyce. Everton already have the options of Wayne Rooney, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Davy Klassen in the similar position that Ilicic plays in.
Klassen has been banished to the benches for the entirety of the season and has been ruled out as a flop. Having already showcased his talents on the European stage, fans and pundits pegged him to be one of the next superstars to break into the English game. But judging by the current climate and Everton already favouring Gylfi Sigurdsson and Wayne Rooney in his position, Klassen’s future is quite bleak under the former England boss.
If Klassen does make the exit, Ilicic can be the ideal replacement to fill the gap. The 30-year-old’s chances would not be hurt as Sigurdsson has also struggled to uphold his standards from his Swansea days.
The Iceland international has shifted in and out of form throughout the season and has been benched on a few occasions. If Everton plans on making a serious title challenge along with an impressive display in the domestic cup competitions, a veteran like Ilicic will turn out to be a brilliant acquisition.
