Juventus hitman Mario Mandzukic is reportedly a target for Everton this summer.
Kevin Kilbane has suggested that Everton shouldn’t go ahead and sign reported target Mario Mandzukic this summer.
The Liverpool Echo previously claimed that Everton boss Marco Silva is a fan of Juventus forward Mandzukic as the club appear to be pretty keen on signing him.
The Toffees have been looking for a new number nine all summer, but at this moment in time, a fresh face is yet to walk through the doors.
Speaking to Off the Ball’s official YouTube account, Kilbane lauded the qualities of Mandzukic, but he just felt that he’d prefer other options.
“I’d much prefer to see Costa,” Kilbane told Off the Ball. “ Mandzukic is not as mobile. He’s not as aggressive. But he’s probably what Everton need. They need a striker.
“Now, at 33, you would look at it and say ‘is his age profile right?’ He’s not going to give you six or seven years, but Everton might need a player for two to three years that’s going to go in and do a job there.
“If you look at him at Juve, he played a lot on the left-hand side. I don’t recall him playing over the last five years as an out-and-out number nine. And he did a great job playing for Juve as a left-sided midfielder. As a number nine, a brilliant player, but I’d prefer Costa.”
There is less than a month to go before the summer transfer window will slam shut as Everton will be well aware that they need to push on with their signings.
If a new striker doesn’t arrive then Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be the most likely candidate to play that forward role.
Other players within the squad can also switch to the number nine area, but the best option would be to get a proven goalscorer through the doors because it’ll increase Everton’s chances of securing European football next season.
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