Record-breaking season for Philipp Max makes Everton's £25m target look like a bargain

FC Augsburg left-back Philipp Max took the Bundesliga by storm and caught the eye of Premier League clubs including Everton.

If Everton are looking for a left-back to succeed the ageing fans’ favourite Leighton Baines, look no further than Philipp Max.

No defender in Europe’s top five leagues produced as many assists as Max’s 12 for FC Augsburg in 2017/18, a tally that puts him level with Lionel Messi and Douglas Costa.

The German enjoyed a stunning breakthrough season, his pinpoint delivery from the left creating countless chances for his team-mates and ensuring that the Bavarian overachievers finished another Bundesliga season comfortably in mid-table.

Did we mention that Max broke the assist record for a defender in a single Bundesliga campaign? Or that no other player in Augsburg’s top flight history had ever set up more goals?

The record-breaking former Schalke man is everything Everton have been looking for on paper, and with the summer transfer window upon us, now is the time for The Toffees to make their move.

The Mail stated in December, when Max was in perhaps the form of his life, that Everton, Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester United had been watching the 24-year-old, who is understood to be valued at around £25 million.

That might be five times more than the fee Everton paid Wigan for Baines 12 years ago, but if they could get a similar level of longevity out of the German, that fee would look like a bargain.