Everton boss Ronald Koeman is reportedly weighing up a move for a young German international.
Niklas Sule in action for Germany
According to the Mirror Toffees boss Koeman is ready to raid Bundesliga side Hoffenheim for 21-year-old centre back Niklas Sule.
A newcomer to the German national team, Sule has previously been linked with Spurs and Everton’s bitter rivals Liverpool with Jurgen Klopp a keen admirer of his fellow countryman.
But what do we know about Sule?
Sule had a debut to forget but it didn’t hold him back
1) Dodgy Hamburger: The nightmare debut
Sule endured a torrid first team debut for Hoffenheim against rivals Hamburg back in 2013 as an 18-year-old.
He started in the first XI and was substituted in the second half as Hoffenheim were humbled at home 4-1.
It did not knock his confidence too much, though, as he went on to play 86 times in three and a half seasons scoring six goals.
Sule won silver at the Rio 2016 Olympics with Germany
2) An Olympic medal winner
Germany’s 2014 World Cup winning campaign in Brazil came too soon for Sule.
But this summer he did get his chance to shine in Brazil as he helped his national side win a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where Germany won the silver medal after an epic final against the host nation.
The final was remembered for Neymar crying as he celebrated scoring the winning penalty in a shoot-out to defeat Sule’s side 5-4, following a game that had finished 1-1 after 120 minutes.
He also played in the German U17 side which finished runners-up at the 2012 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship.
Germany coach Joachim Low
3) Joachim Low likes him
Süle was called up by Germany boss Joachim Low back in August 2016 for games against Finland and Norway.
He was big news as he was a new name in the squad for what was Manchester United outcast Bastian Schweinsteiger’s testimonial
Speaking at the time, Low said: “We wanted to get to know Niklas better… they (Sule and two other new call-ups) have deserved this call with their performances.
“I think they will also see this as a motivation and incentive to continue performing consistently well. We hope to see them take the next step in their development as they have great potential.”
Everton manager Ronald Koeman and Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino
4) He is ready for a new challenge
According to reports Sule is ready to leave the Bundesliga with clubs in Italy also interested in signing him.
That will be music to Koeman’s ears as he looks to push Everton on with the likes of Phil Jagielka and Ashley Williams not getting any younger.
Whether he can see off competition from the likes of Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino to get his man remains to be seen as Hoffenheim look likely to sell in January for around £3.2million rather than lose him for nothing at the end of the season.
5) He is perfect for the Premier League
Standing at 6ft 5 and powerfully built, Sule is a real specimen and is ideally built to handle the rigours of the English top flight.
He has served his apprenticeship in the Bundesliga and with the likes of Bayern Munich well stocked for defenders a move to England looks more likely than the traditional pathway followed by most talented young Germans.
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