Dynamo Kiev defender Domagoj Vida is out of contract in January and has reportedly been offered a chance at Everton.
With Everton enduring the Premier League’s second worst defensive record so far in 2017/18, beaten only by bottom of the table Crystal Palace, defensive reinforcements seem a necessity in the January transfer window.
And with Croatian international Domogoj Vida set to be a free agent with his contract at Dynamo Kiev expiring in January, The Toffees are hoping to take full advantage.
24 Sata reports that Everton have already offered a contract to Vida, though they face opposition in Serie A giants AC Milan. Though while the 28-year-old is hardly a household name, and wouldn’t appear to be much of an improvement on the defensive options already at Everton’s disposal, it’s clear to see why Vida is wanted at Goodison Park.
The former Bayer Leverkusen defender is very highly rated in his homeland. He has 51 caps for Croatia having been a fixture in the national team for seven years, and also has three league titles under his belt, two of them coming in Ukraine with Kiev.
But it’s not just Vida’s experience which could make him a useful addition at Everton. Hugely versatile, he is renowned for being able to play in any defensive position, particularly at centre-half or right-back.
Vida, then, would provide Everton’s next permanent manager with plenty of depth. He could even compensate for the continued absence of Seamus Coleman at right-back or Ramiro Funes-Mori in the centre of defence while providing aggression and real aerial presence – attributes The Toffees have lacked at times this season.
Vida is hardly one of the top defenders in European football. But he’d be a solid and adaptable addition which wouldn’t cost Everton a penny.
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