Everton are long-time admirers of Besiktas midfielder, Oğuzhan Özyakup and were even lining up a bid for the summer window. However, latest reports from Turkey claim that the 25-year-old might just remain with the Super Lig outfit beyond this season due to a significant increase in his yearly pay – €12m worth.
This might look lucrative from a distance but the prospects of Premier League will always get you bigger rewards. Ozyakup is in the best form of his career and is a proven talent on the European stage.
He could have been the answer to Sam Allardyce’s creative problems and an able body to replace the inconsistent Morgan Schneiderlin. Cenk Tosun has already adjusted to life in England’s top-flight and could replicate the same partnership the duo had at Besiktas.
However, if the transfer does end up failing by the time summer comes, here are a few replacements the Toffees should consider.
Shinji Kagawa
The Borussia Dortmund midfielder’s name has been touted around the media pages for the past week now, mostly being linked with other Turkish sides. Kagawa has reinvented himself under Peter Stoger this season and has been the main creative outlet for Dortmund. At 29, he is still improving into one of the top attacking midfielders in Europe and could be a perfect fit in Everton’s lineup.
The Japanese international did spend two seasons with Manchester United earlier in his career and is already accustomed to the pace of the English game. It was unfortunate that his name was not called up a whole lot by the Red Devils but Goodison Park can prove to be entirely different home. However, sacrificing Champions League football and making his way into a team that is miles behind in the title-race will take some convincing.
Joao Mario
The Portuguese international is fed up with his parent club, Inter Milan and was forced to find an escape in West Ham United through the January window. He has been thriving under David Moyes ever since his arrival and has already expressed his wishes to never return to the San Siro.
Even with the Hammers keen to sign him to a permanent deal, Allardyce should consider making a rival offer.
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Max Meyer
Meyer is set to be out of a contract after this season and a host of European outfits have lined up for his signature. Everton should definitely join in on the race for the FC Schalke and German prodigy.
He is shifty, quick and hard to knock off the ball. The 22-year-old can play in almost any position in the midfield.
