Everton have been credited with interest in the Arsenal midfielder this week.
Everton manager Sam Allardyce has told the club’s official media channel that he was at Old Trafford on Tuesday to watch ‘a couple of Sevilla players’.
However, Allardyce maintained that his first priority is to ensure Everton’s Premier League safety before he enters discussions about recruitment.
The 63-year-old was also asked, specifically, whether Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere – linked with a move to Everton this week – is the type of player he is looking to sign during the summer transfer window, to which he replied: “Next season, is next season. I think that our main aim is to have the right discussions at the right period of time.
“I think when you’re living with a squad of 38 professionals then we certainly know that adding more players can only come about (by) releasing some and moving some on.”
Asked how much of a role he will play in Everton’s recruitment, given the recent speculation about his future at the club, Allardyce added: “We’re focusing on the first team. That’s the first thing we do. Then there’s achieving the safety mark, which we’re close to now, and then having those discussions and moving forward when that happens really – as well as planning most of pre-season which is pencilled in if you like.”
It remains to be seen which Sevilla players Allardyce was paying particular attention to on Tuesday, although Steven N’Zonzi – a rumoured January target for the Everton boss who signed him for Blackburn Rovers – played the full 90 minutes as the Spanish side knocked Manchester United out of the Champions League 2-1 on aggregate.
On loan Everton striker Sandro Ramirez was not involved for Sevilla, however.
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