Unless Everton substantially lower their asking price, it appears extremely unlikely that Aston Villa will sign James McCarthy.
Idrissa Gueye has usurped James McCarthy at Everton
Three years ago, £20 million for James McCarthy looked like a solid investment. Now, the fee appears to epitomise the ludicrous inflation rendering value for money somewhat redundant on the modern transfer market.
Yet, according to the Birmingham Mail, Aston Villa are still hoping to bring McCarthy to the Championship this summer – despite the fact that this would make him the most expensive signing in the club’s history.
Considering that Financial Fair Play restrictions mean Villa will have to sell before they buy this summer, as reported by The Telegraph, it seems hugely unlikely that the Everton midfielder will be donning claret and blue next season.
And let’s not forget the fact that McCarthy endured his most disappointing season at Goodison Park since joining from Wigan Athletic in 2013.
The 26-year-old, a snarling, energetic and all-round midfielder in his early days in Everton colours, was restricted to just seven Premier League starts thanks to a series of injuries last season. And, even when he did get on the pitch, his performances were merely a shadow of the displays that once made him one of the nation’s top midfield talents.
All in all, we can safely say that the only chance McCarthy has of rocking at Villa Park is if Steve Bruce leads them to promotion next season.
£20M Behave
— Brian Meer (@DangeAVFC) June 20, 2017
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