Everton director Marcel Brands has moved to distance the club from further speculation regarding a potential £39 million move for Monaco and Russia star Aleksandr Golovin, speaking to Sport Express.
Earlier this month, the Toffees chief appeared to draw a line under rumours linking Golovin with a big-money switch to Goodison Park, stating Everton were “not interested” in the Ligue 1 playmaker.
If Brands thought that was the end of the whispers, however, it seems he was sadly mistaken. Because the ‘Golovin to Everton’ rumours aren’t going away just yet.
So, is there really no way Everton would make a move for Golovin?
Sport Express believes Everton head coach Rafael Benitez was keen to sign Golovin while in charge of Newcastle United a couple of years ago.
Interestingly the midfielder’s agent confirmed that, after Golovin’s eye-catching performances at the 2018 World Cup, Newcastle and Southampton had both expressed an interest (Sport RU).
Everton’s connection to Alisher Usmanov – the Russian billionaire and a business partner of Farhad Moshiri – could also be a factor. Usmanov reportedly has ties with Golovin too.
And, interestingly, this time Brands didn’t say Everton were “not interested” in the 25-year-old lock-picker – just that Golovin’s alleged price tag was slightly wide of the mark.
“The information that Monaco asked us for €46 million (£39 million) for Golovin is absolute nonsense,” said Brands, who also distanced Everton from a move for Rubin Kazan winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia a few months ago.
It remains to be seen whether Golovin, a number ten capable of thriving in a wider role, fits the bill.
What is certain, however, is Everton will have to raise funds via the sale of fringe players to finance a bid for a man who captained the Russian national team this week.
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