In a recent tweet, journalist Florian Plettenberg mentioned that Everton are facing tough competition for Schalke starlet Assan Ouédraogo. It has been claimed that the Toffees will have to rival Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in the race to land the German midfielder next year.
🆕 Liverpool and especially Jürgen #Klopp is monitoring the development of Assan #Ouedraogo! 🔴
The 17 y/o versatile midfielder from @s04 has a release clause in 2024. Clubs from abroad have to pay around €20m.
Next to #LFC more clubs from 🏴 are interested: Everton &… pic.twitter.com/wYOFK7QI30
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) October 16, 2023
Ouédraogo’s Rapid Rise In German Football
Ouédraogo has come through the youth ranks of Schalke and has done well to establish himself as a key member of their senior team. The 17-year-old has made nine appearances for the German outfit this season, finding the back of the net once in the process across multiple competitions.
The talented teenager has managed to prove his worth at the centre of the park by averaging 1.2 shots and 2.4 dribbles per 90 minutes in the Bundesliga 2. He has even been careful when distributing possession from midfield after making 81.1% of his attempted passes in the German second tier (stats via whoscored).
His current contract at the German club will run out in the summer of 2027. Hence, it won’t be easy for Everton to win the race for his services this January or at the end of this campaign.
Everton Are Facing Tough Competition For Ouédraogo: Is He A Star In The Making?
Ouedraogo can strike the ball with power and precision from long range. He is a great dribbler with the ball and can make a few dangerous runs with the ball from midfield.
The German prospect is primarily a box-to-box midfielder but can also operate as an attacking midfielder or as a left-winger if told to do so. However, he is still quite raw and would need time to settle into life in English football.
Still, there is no denying that Ouedraogo is a star in the making and has the potential to become a future star at Everton if Sean Dyche can devise a way to land him this summer.
All in all, Ouedraogo would be a great, long-term signing for the Merseyside club in the upcoming winter transfer window. However, he would need time to adapt to Dyche’s playing style at Goodison Park. Even then, it makes a lot of sense for the Toffees to recruit Ouedraogo as they look to build a strong squad for the future.
