Swansea City’s Gylfi Sigurdsson is reportedly wanted by Everton in the summer transfer window.
Everton have been linked with a move for Gylfi Sigurdsson from Premier League rivals Swansea City in the summer transfer window.
According to BBC Sport, the Toffees are interested in signing the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder this summer, but the Swans are demanding as much as £50m for the 27-year-old.
Sigurdsson is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League and has revitalised his career at Swansea since the switch from Tottenham back in the summer of 2014, but is he worth £50m? Probably not.
It is hard to see Everton cough up £50m for the Iceland international, but could they sweeten the deal by offering Swansea two midfielders they do not actually need for the 2017-18 campaign?
Gareth Barry is still going strong at 36 years of age and made 23 starts in the Premier League last season, scoring two goals and providing one assist in the process.
With the signings of attacking midfielder Davy Klaassen and forward Wayne Rooney, who can also operate in midfield, in the summer transfer window, it is hard to see Barry feature regularly for Ronald Koeman’s side next season.
The situation with James McCarthy is similar. The 26-year-old midfielder has been on the books of the Toffees since 2013, but his importance is dwindling.
During the 2016-17 Premier League campaign, the Republic of Ireland international started only seven games and made five substitute appearances.
For both Barry and McCarthy to play regularly next season, they need to leave Everton, who should try to include the midfield duo in the deal to sign Sigurdsson from Swansea.
The Swans are likely to be fighting against relegation from the Premier League next season, and the additions of Barry and McCarthy would enhance their chances of escaping the drop to the Championship.
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