The Everton player is said to be available this summer with Newcastle United among the side’s interested.
According to a report from the Daily Mail, Everton are willing to sell James McCarthy this summer for £20million, but should alleged suitors Newcastle United fork out that much for the player?
The transfer market has become inflated in recent times, to such an extent that £20million is no longer seen as the huge sum it once was – at least when it comes to football – but McCarthy has been blighted by injuries this season and his signing would be a risk.
He also offers little in terms of creativity, with only six goals and 10 assists in 126 matches for Everton to date.
If he was an outstanding box-to-box midfielder in the vein of N’Golo Kante, that would not be an issue, but he is not, and as Leicester City proved when they signed the unknown Frenchman, there are great deals to be had if you look further afield.
Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez will know that and will have plenty of targets on his wish list. However £20million for McCarthy seems excessive given his recent struggles and the Magpies would be wise to spend what is still a substantial sum elsewhere.
At 26, the Republic of Ireland international has years ahead of him. However a fee between £10million and £15million would be better and more sensible value from Newcastle’s perspective.
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