In a recent print edition, L’Equipe has revealed that Everton have launched a move to sign Olympique Marseille forward Valere Germain this summer. It is understood that the Toffees have ‘come forward’ with their intentions to recruit the French striker but could face competition in the form of Bordeaux, Rennes and AC Milan in pursuit of the player (transcripted and translated by Sport Witness).
Germain’s Unimpressive Season At Marseille
It has been a difficult campaign for the experienced frontman at the Orange Velodrome so far as he has struggled to find consistency in terms of his productivity in the final third. Germain has netted three goals and grabbed one assist in 32 matches for the French side this term in various competitions.
Most of his game time has come as a substitute which explains why the French marksman is averaging 0.5 shots and 0.2 key passes per game in the Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League. He has also been sloppy when linking up play with others around him after making 70.1% of his attempted passes in both those competitions (stats via whoscored).
The former AS Monaco youngster’s current contract with Marseille is set to expire at the end of this campaign, so a change of scenery could do his career a world of good especially if he can end up at a club like Everton where he would serve as a decent squad player under Carlo Ancelotti’s stewardship.
What Will The French Striker Add To Ancelotti’s Side?
Germain is a well-rounded forward who can do a bit of everything in the final third. He is a deceptively quick presence inside the opponent’s penalty area and has got a great leap in him that allows him to win some important aerial duels for his team. The Frenchman can be a decent finisher in the attacking end of the field when he is firing on all cylinders on the pitch. However, he has been far too inconsistent to justify a move to Goodison Park, even though he will be available on a free transfer this summer.
Is Germain A Good Fit For The Toffees?
Even at his best, Germain will struggle to compete with Dominic Calvert-Lewin or Richarlison for a place in Ancelotti’s starting XI. However, he is good enough to enhance the depth of the Toffees squad that might help them stay competitive across multiple competitions in the coming seasons.
At 30, Germain is a player on the decline and could struggle to cope with the physical nature and high intensity of Premier League football. With all things considered, the Marseille striker won’t be a good fit for the Merseysiders, so Ancelotti would be better off concentrating on some of his other targets if he wants to strengthen his team during the summer transfer window.
