Everton are reportedly making a £5.3m move for Copenhagen midfielder Thomas Delaney.
According to The Mirror, Everton are set to offer Werder Bremen £5.3million for midfielder Thomas Delaney – even though he has yet to play for the club, given that he hasn’t joined from Copenhagen yet.
The Toffees have recently endured a dismal run of form, and whilst the midweek win over Arsenal was a boost, manager Ronald Koeman still needs January reinforcements.
One particular position of concern is in central midfield, as Gareth Barry turns 36 in February, Muhamed Besic has endured injury problems, Tom Cleverley has yet to impress at Goodison Park, and Idrissa Gueye will head off to the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal next month.
FC Copenhagen’s Thomas Delaney during a press conference
Signing a younger central midfielder to eventually succeed Barry in midfield would be a msart move from Everton, and it seems that they have set their sights on a long-term target.
The Mirror report that Everton have been watching Copenhagen star Thomas Delaney for more than two years now, and are now finally ready to make their move during the January transfer window.
Leicester City’s Danny Drinkwater in action with FC Copenhagen’s Thomas Delaney
However, a deal may not be quite so straightforward. Delaney agreed a deal to join Bundesliga side Werder Bremen over the summer, and he will link up with the Germans in January to start his career at the Weserstadion.
Werder Bremen sporting director Frank Baumann recently told Bild that there was no chance of them selling Delaney before he’s even played for the club, but Everton are allegedly ready to test their resolve with a bid of £5.3million.
It’s stated that Everton could have landed Delaney last summer, before he agreed to sign for Werder Bremen, but they passed up that opportunity – and may now regret that decision as they attempt to sign him in January.
The report claims that a £5.3m deal would hand Werder Bremen a £4million profit on the Danish international, who has made 11 appearances for his country.
Delaney, 25, has racked up almost 200 appearances for Copenhagen having come up through the ranks with the club, and is a hard-working midfielder with good passing ability, making him a sensible successor for Barry.
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