West Ham’s Manuel Lanzini and Swansea City talisman Gylfi Sigurdsson have both been linked with huge moves to Everton this summer.
Thank god for Manuel Lanzini. Dimitri Payet’s acrimonious departure from West Ham in January could easily have derailed their season, so reliant were they upon the mercurial Frenchman’s ability to pull a rabbit out of a hat.
However, in the four months since Payet returned to Marseille and tainted his legacy forever, Lanzini has stepped up to the plate in style.
The sporadic flashes of magic that dotted his first 18 months in English football have become more frequent of late. This season, he’s netted eight league goals, including the one that ended London rivals Tottenham Hotspur’s title hopes.
And, throughout the second half of the campaign, his quick feet, elusive movement and superb vision have put him at the centre of almost every West Ham attack.
No wonder, then, that Everton are keen on making Lanzini one of their top summer targets, as reported by The Mirror.
After all, The Toffees are still in the dark with regards to the future of Ross Barkley with manager Ronald Koeman admitting recently that the England international may be sold if he does not extend his contract a year before it expires.
Breaking the bank
Yet, The Mirror added that West Ham would demand £30 million for Lanzini – triple the fee they paid Al Jazira when turning his initial loan move permanent last summer.
However, this is £5 million more than Everton are hoping to pay for Swansea City talisman Gylfi Sigurdsson, according to the report. And, on balance, the Icelandic playmaker would appear a much more convincing signing at such a huge price.
After all, he’s not only outscored Lanzini this season but also produced 11 more assists in the Premier League. Only Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne has more.
Furthermore, his remarkable set piece delivery and ability to find the net from the edge of the box would give Everton are completely new dimension going forward.
If The Toffees are to break the bank for one midfield creator this summer, Sigurdsson is surely better value.
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