De Roon only moved to Middlesbrough in the summer, but believes he can play for Everton in the future.
Middlesbrough’s Marten de Roon is eyeing a future at a club like Everton, the Sun reports.
De Roon only arrived at the Riverside from Atalanta last summer, in a deal worth a reported £12.75 million, but the Dutch midfielder is already plotting his next his move up the Premier League latter.
However, there is a limit to his ambition, it seems, and it’s hard to tell whether Everton should be flattered or offended by the 25-year-old’s remarks.
Middlesbrough’s Marten de Roon celebrates
“I am incredibly lucky – I play for a good club and live in a nice area – but I am ambitious as well,” De Roon said, as quoted by the Sun.
Report: Everton and Aston Villa tracking Blackpool winger Bright Osayi-Samuel
“I won’t get to play for Manchester City, or another club among the top five in England. But I do think that I can develop myself to the level needed to play for a club like Everton.
“But there is a long way for me to go. I first need to become the best player at Middlesbrough – that is the next step for me.
“There is a mighty atmosphere at Goodison Park. But I’ve had goosebumps at Bournemouth as well, and the noise levels at the Riverside Stadium are superb.”
De Roon has been a regular in Aitor Karanka’s Boro team, scoring three goals in 22 games in all competitions.
Everton’s Gareth Barry has 18 months left at Goodison Park
However, with James McCarthy’s future uncertain and Gareth Barry not getting any younger, Everton may be in need of midfield reinforcements come the summer.
Carlos Carvalhal explains how Sheffield Wednesday could have been beaten to Jordan Rhodes signing
And it would be little surprise if De Roon has already entered the thinking of Toffees boss Ronald Koeman, who was Feyenoord manager for much of the former Heerenveen midfielder’s career in Holland.
Would Middlesbrough’s De Roon make a good Everton signing one day?
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
