Did Atalanta’s Josip Ilicic show in five minutes why Everton want him?

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Premier League side Everton are reportedly considering a move for Atalanta’s Josip Ilicic after his Europa League stunner against Borussia Dortmund.

You would think Everton would have enough play-makers and wingers in their squad already.

Wayne Rooney and Gylfi Sigurdsson continue to fight for the same number ten role with Yannick Bolasie out wide, while Nikola Vlasic and Davy Klaassen are stuck in reserve. Ademola Lookman even fought for a January loan to RB Leipzig in order to get some much needed game time.

And that is without mentioning Theo Walcott, who arrived for £20 million in January.

So reports in Calciomercato that Everton are keeping tabs on the versatile Atalanta attacker Josip Ilicic could raise a few eyebrows.

The Slovenian international, after all, is an intelligent and creative play-maker who can feature both through the middle and out wide – like many current players in Everton’s squad.

Nonetheless, any Everton fans who watched Atalanta’s thrilling Europa League clash with Borussia Dortmund on Thursday will tell you exactly why the 30-year-old is in Everton’s thoughts.

While Gian Piero Gasperini’s side eventually lost 3-2 thanks to a late Michy Batshuayi brace, Ilicic netted a clinical double of his own to turn the game in Atalanta’s favour after the interval.

One glorious touch and left-footed finish from a tight angle drew the Bergamo side level after the break. And, five minutes after that, he put Atalanta ahead with a poacher’s finish at the far post.

Everton have struggled for goals all season but the same cannot be said of Ilicic, who has four in the Europa League and a further seven in Serie A. He may be similar to the players already at Sam Allardyce’s disposal but, with the Toffees enduring a difficult season, signing a player who can turn a game around in five minutes would not be a bad call.