Everton are said to be confident of signing Jack Wilshere, but there are less risky alternatives to the injury-prone Arsenal ace.
Everton have been reported by football.london as being ‘confident’ over securing the signing of Arsenal contract rebel Jack Wilshere this summer.
The Toffees look in need of changes to their squad after a disappointing season, but many will rightly doubt that moving for an injury-prone has-been is really the best solution to their issues.
While there’s no question Wilshere was once a fine player and had the potential to be up there with the best, things have simply not worked out for him and Everton could do better.
Here’s our run-down of five realistic targets, all based in the Premier League, who could make superior signings for Everton’s midfield this summer…
Jack Cork (Burnley)
Recently called up to the England squad, Jack Cork has been one of many fine performers for Burnley in their surprise success this season.
The 28-year-old may not have quite the same high ceiling as Wilshere, but is a no-nonsense, solid player who would add balance to an Everton team that have blown hot and cold for so much of this season.
One expects Burnley may struggle to keep a number of their best players this summer and Everton should be right there ready to pounce.
Abdoulaye Doucoure (Watford)
One of the stand-out players outside of the big six this season, Watford’s Abdoulaye Doucoure is bound to be a wanted man this summer.
Bigger names have started to emerge as potential suitors for the Frenchman, and Everton themselves were linked with him earlier this season by the Daily Mirror.
A rising star and real all-rounder on the pitch, Doucoure could be a signing to take Everton to the next level, rather than an unimaginative move for Wilshere simply because he’s available.
Grzegorz Krychowiak (West Brom)
He’s not had the best of times of late and could be part of a West Brom team that’s set to go down, but there’s more to Grzegorz Krychowiak than this.
The Poland international was immense at Sevilla before a move to Paris Saint-Germain that didn’t work out, and he’s also wound up on loan at a Premier League club that were never likely to get the best out of him.
A team like Everton seems precisely the right level for Krychowiak, and with PSG unlikely to give him another chance, the Toffees should swoop.
Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City)
A young player improving all the time, Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi may already be somewhat out of Everton’s range after his remarkable rise.
The Nigerian looks set to have a great career at the top level of the game and he’s stylistically perfect for the Premier League.
It would be great to see Everton push the boat out for a player of his calibre, and if it’s ever going to happen it surely has to be this summer.
Danny Drinkwater (Chelsea)
Finally, Everton could also do well to gamble on Danny Drinkwater, who’s had a bit of a miserable time at Chelsea.
The England international was superb for much of his time with Leicester and needs to be playing regularly again for a club of that level.
Everton could be the answer for him, and they’d surely benefit from bringing him in if he can get back to his best.
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