Everton are considering a move for two Bundesliga fullbacks – Bayer Leverkusen’s Wendell and Hertha Berlin’s Marvin Plattenhardt, as a successor to Leighton Baines. Farhad Moshiri is working closely with Marcel Brands and the newly appointed head coach, Marco Silva to bring in all the necessary signings ahead of the 2018/19 season.
The Toffees ownership shelled out around £200m this past season to bring in prestigious names and are planning to do the same. The return of their investments has been poor under the leadership of Ronald Koeman and Sam Allardyce.
While the former completely flopped out of Goodison early on in the 2017/18 campaign, Allardyce managed to save the side from relegation but could not climb any higher than the 8th spot in the Premier League.
Now things are expected to change under the former Watford boss and that would mean that the club might go through a few changes. Leighton Baines is facing the end stages of his playing career and needs a younger figure next to him to divide the workload.
At 33, the Englishman can no longer keep up with Premier League attackers on a regular basis. Everton also need the security of an alternate option who will be competing for the left-back position.
Rhu-Endly Cuco Martina might have done a decent job last term as a makeshift option but lacks the dominant right foot to be majorly impactful. Plattenhardt is a prolific name in the Bundesliga who has all the right traits to make into the Everton first team.
Currently, the 26-year-old is serving Germany in the 2018 FIFA World Cup and even played in the opening 1-0 loss to Mexico. He has 7 caps for the national team and 56 for the youth sides. He also has featured in 121 games for Hertha Berlin during which he has registered 5 goals and 18 assists.
Plattenhardt started out his career with FC Nuremberg, making 66 total appearances for the senior side and later signed with the Old Lady in the summer of 2014. According to Transfermarkt, his contract is set to run for another 5 seasons, which, along with his presence in Russia, could drive his price up higher than expected.
Everton have the funds to pursue his services as he too will be looking to keep his place in the German national team. Jonas Hector remains a favourite of Lowe but is destined to play in the German second division next term.
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Getting the Premier League spotlight could help the 26-year-old steal the starting berth in the near future.
