Everton are linked to Middlesbrough’s Marten de Roon.
Middlesbrough’s Marten de Roon celebrates
Everton are keen on signing Middlesbrough midfielder Marten de Roon, according to The Mail.
The Toffees are claimed to have scouts watching De Roon in action against Chelsea on Monday night, a match the Blues won 3-0.
Middlesbrough were relegated as a result of the defeat, which will make it tougher for them to hold onto the ambitious De Roon.
Boro paid £12 million to sign De Roon last summer from Atalanta.
Middlesbrough’s Marten de Roon scores
Everton’s interest is the best possible scenario for the Dutchman, who admitted earlier this season he hoped to earn a move to Everton.
De Roon told the Sun: “I am incredibly lucky – I play for a good club and live in a nice area – but I am ambitious as well,
“I won’t get to play for Manchester City, or another club among the top five in England. But I do think that I can develop myself to the level needed to play for a club like Everton.
“But there is a long way for me to go. I first need to become the best player at Middlesbrough – that is the next step for me.
“There is a mighty atmosphere at Goodison Park. But I’ve had goosebumps at Bournemouth as well, and the noise levels at the Riverside Stadium are superb.”
Maarten De Roon in Serie A action for Atalanta
Now Middlesbrough are relegated, De Roon is likely to move on.
Everton have reportedly identified him as a replacement for veteran Gareth Barry.
His performance for Middlesbrough and possibly his comments appear to have caught the eye of Ronald Koeman, and now it could simply be a case of the two clubs trying to come together on an agreeable fee to get the deal done.
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