Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s Rangers will face competition from Everton in the race to sign Francis Amuzu with L’Avenir reporting that the Anderlecht winger has Premier League interest.
Even the most ardent members of the ‘Rafa Out’ brigade would have to admit that Benitez deserves some semblance of credit for presiding over two of the most inspired signings Everton have made in the Farhad Moshiri era.
Andros Townsend, who played perhaps the best football of his career under Benitez at Newcastle United, has served up a hearty slice of humble pie to the critics who questioned the club’s decision to hand him a fresh start after his release from Crystal Palace.
Demarai Gray, meanwhile, has performed more like a £17 million winger than a £1.7 million one on the blue half of Merseyside.
Nearly ripping the net from it’s hinges with a stoppage-time screamer against Arsenal recently, Gray is finally unlocking the potential that made him one of England’s brightest young talents at Birmingham City.
Benitez deserves the benefit of the doubt, then, as Everton join the race for another bargain wideman.
Will Francis Amuzu choose Rangers or Everton?
Amuzu has a £3.6 million release clause in his Anderlecht contract.
The jet-heeled Belgian, who has been likened to Manchester City and England star Raheem Sterling, is a long-time transfer target for Scottish Premiership champions Rangers.
According to Voetbal24, Amuzu would relish the opportunity to become Gio van Bronckhorst’s first signing at Ibrox.
Rangers sent scouts to watch the Ghana-born 22-year-old in action recently. So, too, did Everton.
And, as reported by L’Avenir, the Toffees were impressed enough to add Amuzu’s name to their own list of January targets.
The ball, then, is in Amuzu’s court.
Is the lure of the Premier League strong enough for Amuzu to choose a struggling Everton side over a Rangers team sitting pretty at the top of the table and preparing for the Europa League knock-out stages.
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