Two years after Everton first made a bid, reports say the Toffees are planning another move to bring Switzerland defender Lacroix to Goodison Park.
Everton’s pursuit of Leo Lacroix has lasted two years and spanned three managers.
Lacroix is on loan at Basel from Ligue 1 side St Etienne and put in a very impressive display as the Super League champions stunned Manchester City with a 2-1 win at the Etihad in their rather moot Champions League Round of 32 second leg last week.
And, fortunately for the 26-year-old, Everton scouts were in attendance. The Sun claims that Everton could sign Lacroix for £7.5 million at the end of the season, although it is understood that Basel have an option to make his loan move permanent.
Walsh’s man
But if you read between the lines, it seems unlikely that Lacroix is a player wanted by Sam Allardyce. After all, it is surely too much of a coincidence that the 63-year-old has stumbled upon the same left-field target that was linked with Everton in 2016, during Ronald Koeman’s first few months on Merseyside.
It appears that director of football Steve Walsh is more than likely behind the club’s continued interest in the two-cap international.
Gazzetta dello Sport credited Everton with an interest almost two years ago, claiming they offered around £6 million to beat AC Milan to a player who had enjoyed a real breakthrough in his homeland with FC Sion.
But if Everton do get their man at last, expect Lacroix to arrive at Goodison under scrutiny.
He is relatively unknown on English shores, cheap and the harsh reality is that most of the players brought to Everton by Steve Walsh have been distinctly underwhelming.
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