The Las Palmas midfielder has impressed in La Liga, catching the eye of Everton and Tottenham Hotspur.
Roque Mesa may not immediately jump off the page as one of La Liga’s most glamorous names but the Las Palmas midfielder is nonetheless one of the most impressive, if understated, midfielders in the Spanish top flight.
And though Tottenham Hotspur and Everton are hardly lacking quality in central midfield, Marca’s claims that the Premier League duo are ready to battle Bayern Munich, on the lookout for a long-term replacement for Xabi Alonso, could lead the chase at the end of the season.
Gran Canarian outfit Las Palmas may have earned a reputation as one of the most free-flowing, easy-on-the-eye teams in La Liga but, without Mesa pulling the strings, their impressive season would not have been possible.
The 27-year-old, complete with 60s pencil moustache, is the glue that holds Quique Setien’s side together and makes them tick. According to WhoScored, only Asier Illarramendi of Real Sociedad and Sevilla’s Player of the Season candidate Steve N’Zonzi have produced more passes in Spain this season than Mesa’s 1804.
He’s a steady, reliable distributor rather than a player capable of opening up a well-drilled opposition backline with an eye-of-the-needle through ball, however, meaning he is not exactly overpriced with Las Palmas ready to consider offers of £8.5 million, Marca report.
And although it’s not an easy task to predict how he would fight his way into a midfield blessed with the talents of Morgan Schneiderlin, Tom Davies, Gareth Barry, Ross Barkley and Idrissa Gana Gueye or Moussa Dembele, Victor Wanyama, Harry Winks and Eric Dier, his price tag makes him a risk worth taking.
Furthermore, with Everton and Tottenham hoping to balance domestic and European matters next season, Mesa could add depth and balance to the squad. Not to mention superb passing ability.
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