It would be little surprise if Everton’s 26-year-old midfielder was made available at the end of the season; Newcastle United will be circling.
If you ever wanted a surefire sign that the English transfer market has span out of control, consider this; Everton rejected a £16 million offer from Newcastle United last month for James McCarthy, according to the Daily Mail, a player who is still yet to replicate the influence of his 2013/14 debut campaign on Merseyside.
The publication reports that The Toffees were unwilling to sanction the 26-year-old’s departure midway through the season but, just a few weeks later, the Republic of Ireland international could find his place in the side under renewed threat.
McCarthy has only started seven league games all season, largely due to injuries, but the impending return to fitness of tenacious Bosnian Mo Besic, not to mention the emergence of Tom Davies, could eventually push him further down the pecking order.
The Liverpool Echo reports that Besic, who has missed the entirety of the season so far, will step up his recovery from a knee injury during the club’s warm weather training camp in Dubai – and his energy and hard-pressing approach makes him a perfect Ronald Koeman midfielder.
Consequently, McCarthy could find himself in need of a change of scenery after stalling somewhat at Goodison Park with Newcastle still a potential destination.
Rafael Benitez was left frustrated by owner Mike Ashley’s refusal to sanction any January spending but, with youth still on his side, McCarthy could still offer sufficient ‘re-sale value’ to convince the owner to make a solid investment.
Furthermore, the former Wigan enforcer could offer a Premier League-ready upgrade on Jack Colback or Isaac Hayden while his top flight experience could help the club settle after promotion.
And Everton will surely be more open to an exit in the summer. After all, they’ve already got the perfect replacement at hand.
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