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Should Everton attempt ambitious move for 2015 target Sergi Roberto as report suggests Barcelona star has offers from England?

General view inside the stadium before the match - Goodison Park (Reuters)
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Everton were linked with a move for Barcelona’s Sergi Roberto in 2015, so perhaps they should target an ambitious move for the midfielder this summer.

Barcelona's Sergi Roberto in action with Celtic's Leigh GriffithsBarcelona’s Sergi Roberto is reportedly attracting attention from England

According to Spanish outlet Marca, Barcelona star Sergi Roberto has offers to come to the Premier League this summer. So, if they are not one of the teams already making an approach, it could surely be argued that Everton should reignite their interest in the midfielder and target an ambitious move.

The Daily Mirror reported back in 2015 that Everton were in pole position to sign the 25-year-old who had been told at the time that he was free to leave the Nou Camp.

Barcelona's Sergi Roberto celebrates scoring their sixth goal with team matesRoberto scored Barca’s decisive goal in their incredible Champions League win over PSG this past season

Since then, it seems that a fair amount has changed.

Roberto has established himself as a fairly important player in Barca’s squad this season, making 32 La Liga appearances, and, of course, scoring that famous final goal in the 6-1 Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain that saw the Catalan giants overturn a four-goal deficit from the first leg.

However, Roberto has played the majority of those games away from his favoured position in the centre of midfield, instead featuring at right-back.

Everton manager Ronaldo KoemanEverton manager Ronald Koeman

Marca reports that the Spain international is not currently looking to move away, but perhaps the Toffees could try and persuade Roberto by convincing him that he could be their talisman in the middle of the park if he makes the switch to Goodison Park.

Roberto has a release clause of just under £35 million (via Marca), and it would hardly be a surprise if they had to trigger that clause to be able to open talks with the midfielder. But it could certainly be argued that he has the quality to justify such a significant fee being spent on him.

General view inside the stadium before the match - Goodison Park

Of course, it would be a surprise if Everton did manage to bring the Barcelona midfielder in, but the prospect of becoming a key man in his favoured role at a club that is threatening to move up the Premier League table and is managed by a Barca legend in Ronald Koeman could perhaps give him something to think about.

And if a seemingly improbable deal did end up taking place, then Everton would send out a major message to their rivals, potential targets and even their own players regarding their ambition.