Baptiste Santamaria has delivered a hammer blow to Everton’s hopes, with the reported Tottenham and Leicester City target admitting to Onze Mondail that he wants to join a club who will be playing in Europe next season.
After four years at Angers, it seems that one of the most effective defensive midfielders on the continent wants a new challenge.
Speaking to Telefoot, the £13 million-rated Santamaria admitted that ‘it’s time’ to leave the Ligue 1 outfit behind.
Fortunately, he is not short of offers.
The Express suggested in April that the so-called ‘new N’Golo Kante’ could follow in the World Cup winner’s footsteps, while both Tottenham and Everton are also allegedly targeting a player who averages 3.3 successful tackles per game from his favoured ‘number six’ role.
With Santamaria hoping to prove himself in European competition, an Everton side who finished 12th in the Premier League last season have a mountain to climb as they look to lure the 25-year-old to Goodison Park.
“(I want) A European Cup project. An ambitious project that can allow me to go to the top,” Santamaria said when asked about a summer move.
“Playing in the European Cup would allow me to assess myself and see what I’m worth at that level. And continue to reach a new level.
“The dream of any footballer is to win the European Cup.”
Tottenham and Leicester might have missed out on Champions League qualification in 2019/20 but, after finishing sixth and fifth respectively, they have at least secured a place in the Europa League.
Everton, then, look destined to miss out on hard-running, ball-winning enforcer who looks every inch the Idrissa Gana Gueye replacement the Toffees are crying out for.
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