Nice midfielder Jean Michael Seri would cost a huge fee if Everton and Southampton want to bring him to England this summer.
Everton’s best laid summer transfer plans may already be going awry. According to RMC Sport, Nice midfielder Jean Michael Seri is on the Toffees’ radar after a standout season with Ligue 1 surprise packages Nice.
However, getting a deal over the line could be easier said than done.
For one, Premier League rivals Southampton are also reportedly interested in the 25-year-old. Saints boss Claude Puel brought the dynamic Ivorian midfielder to the Riviera club from Pacos de Ferreira in 2015 and could therefore give Southampton an advantage over Ronald Koeman’s Everton, as reported by RMC Sport.
Furthermore, the publication adds that Seri’s contract contains a release clause of £33million, meaning both Everton and Southampton would need to obliterate their transfer record to bring him to England.
And whether Seri is worth such an extortionate price is up for debate. In 30 Ligue 1 games, the midfielder has produced six goals and an impressive nine assists with his game-changing vision and powerful striking ability winning Nice a number of crucial points this season.
Therefore, on paper Seri could be an excellent addition to an Everton side who have lacked any semblance of a reliable goal threat from midfield this season. Furthermore, with Ross Barkley’s future uncertain, another creative midfielder would not go amiss.
Southampton, meanwhile, are crying out for more cutting edge in the final third having scored just 37 goals in 31 Premier League games, the joint lowest in the top half with Watford.
However, at £33million, signing Seri would still represent a rather substantial gamble.
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