When a global pandemic takes centre stage, things of lesser importance can afford to wait. But that has not deterred the media from making speculations regarding the possible destination of the football players in the upcoming season.
Previously Football Italia reported that Everton were interested in the service of Hirving Lozano, Napoli’s most expensive signing ever, along with other teams from Spain including Sevilla. In a recent development, Calciomercato states that Sevilla have opted out of the race and now the only team looking to get the signature of the Mexican international is Everton.
Lozano joined Napoli from PSV Eindhoven last August for a reported fee of €38m; the highest fee Napoli have spent for a player. He came into the team with high expectations after scoring 17 league goals for PSV in 30 games primarily playing as a left-winger.
In Italy, however, Lozano did not impress much, scoring only thrice in 23 matches for his new club. Moreover, the change of guard of Napoli from Ancelotti to Gattuso did not suit the player as well. When Gattuso’s tactics gradually pushed the Mexican to the centre of the field from his preferred wings, he struggled to cope up with it and was eventually phased out of the team.
Everton, on the other hand, are in dire need of a reliable forward who could provide a regular output of goals. With Moise Kean completely unsettled in England, Ancelotti needs someone who can bring in the returns. Lozano, in that aspect, would be a near ideal replacement for the Toffees with the gaffer already conversant with the style of the player.
Lozano is a versatile and agile player, with a brilliant work rate and powerful shot. His accuracy is something which would help any side have an extra edge. However, Lozano is not a very well built player, meaning he might struggle to cope up with the physicality of the Premier League. Still, his style of play would undoubtedly help him overcome that.
Everton have also been linked to Kalidou Koulibaly of Napoli. Still, the more realistic target for them would certainly be someone who is an outcast from the Italian club, like Hirving Lozano. Although Napoli would not want to part with their most expensive player for too cheap, the fact that the football world is caught in a financial crisis post the COVID-19 pandemic and Lozano has absolutely no feasible future at Napoli would help the Merseyside club’s cause.
