Belgian international defender Bjorn Engels has long been linked with Everton – but you can’t rule West Brom out now.
The stars just keep on coming as Belgium’s Golden Generation shows no signs of slowing down. And, in 22-year-old centre-half Bjorn Engels, The Red Devils have one of Europe’s most promising young centre-halves.
Cultured, composed and excellent with the ball at his feet, there’s no wonder The Daily Mail reported last summer that Everton had identified the Club Brugge talisman as the ideal replacement for John Stones.
And, after another fine season in Belgium, capped by his Champions League debut, expect Engels to be a regular in the gossip columns again this summer.
Especially after he admitted a desire to play in front of the tenacious English terraces.
“Take West Brom against Burnley. The stadium is packed and it’s ‘go’ from the first to the last minute,” Engels told HLN.
“Fantastic. The atmosphere, the interviews, analysis… I have at home a ‘box’ and can follow all the channels.”
Everton have been linked relentlessly with a number of defenders in recent weeks and Engels certainly fits the style manager Ronald Koeman is introducing at Goodison Park. Furthermore, he’d certainly come a lot cheaper than Michael Keane or Harry Maguire (below).
However, after he lauded the vociferous Hawthorns atmosphere, West Brom should need no further encouragement to throw their hat into the ring. Baggies boss Tony Pulis is reportedly in the market for a centre-half with Jonas Olsson returning to Sweden and Gareth McAuley hitting 37 despite performing with typical consistency.
And Engels, like West Brom star Jonny Evans, possesses both the positional sense and passing range to thrive at The Hawthorns.
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