On 14 June, Everton announced that Ronald Koeman would be the man to replace the recently departed Roberto Martinez as the new manager and with that appointment came the inevitable speculation on who the Dutchman may want to sign for the Toffees.
The recent takeover of the Merseyside club by Iranian billionaire Farhad Moshiri has put the rumour mills into overdrive with fans and journalists alike trying to predict which players Everton will look to purchase this Summer.
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Now, with Koeman revealed as the man to lead the blues into the new season, attention has predictably shifted to Koeman’s former club Southampton with many of the Saints’ players being linked a move to Everton, and with Koeman refusing to rule out a raid on his previous employers in a recent press conference, that speculation has only intensified.
So, which Southampton players are most likely to follow Ronald Koeman to Merseyside?
1) Jordy Clasie
Jordy Clasie is a favourite of Ronald Koeman who worked with him at Feyenoord before bringing him to Southampton at the beginning of last season.
Clasie impressed in his first season in the Premier League, his strong technical prowess coupled with his tenacity won over the Saints’ fans and those attributes would be sure to make him a favourite with the Goodison faithful too.
With Everton already spoilt for choice with central midfielders such as Gareth Barry, James McCarthy and Mo Besic and with exciting youngsters such as Tom Davies pushing for a first team place for next season, it might mean one or two players may have to leave should this move materialise.
2) Virgil van Dijk
Everton’s defensive record last season was very poor, particularly in their home games, so defensive recruitments seem like a must for the Toffees if they are to improve in that department and the 6”4” centre-back may be the man they turn to.
Like Clasie, Van Dijk came to the Premier League at the start of the 2015/16 season and didn’t take long to settle in and become one of the league’s top defenders. He also possesses an attacking threat and finished the season with 3 goals.
John Stones has been strongly linked with a move away from Goodison Park this Summer and Van Dijk would appear to be a more than worthy replacement for him, but with the former Celtic man having recently signed a new long-term contract with Southampton, he certainly wouldn’t be a cheap acquisition for Everton.
3) Graziano Pelle
Along with John Stones, Romelu Lukaku has been rumoured to be heading for the Everton exit door this Summer. If this happens then a striker would surely be top of the Merseyside club’s shopping list in this transfer window and Graziano Pelle is one such player who fits the criteria they would be looking for.
Pelle and Koeman are familiar with each other after working together and not just Southampton but also Feyernoord and AZ. Therefore, Koeman would know what he’s getting should he sign the Italian, a strong target man with an eye for goal who has reached double-figure goal tallies in each of his two seasons with the Saints.
With the Italian international turning 31-years-old next month, it is unlikely that he would command a huge transfer fee but would nonetheless be a safe and reliable purchase for the Goodison outfit.
4) Shane Long
Shane Long has long been a target for the Everton hierarchy and is rumoured to be high on Ronald Koeman’s wish-list for this Summer also. The Republic of Ireland striker became a key member of Koeman’s Southampton, particularly in the second half of last season, and finished the season with 10 goals.
Long recently commented on Koeman’s move to Everton and revealed that he has a good relationship with the new blues boss, he was quoted as saying, “I really got on with him and I learned a lot from him. But he obviously has an opportunity to progress in his career and I wish him all the best."
Long’s passion and work rate would surely make him a favourite with the Goodison faithful and, while questions remain over his goalscoring prowess, he would surely give Everton’s attack a different dimension should he make the move to the blue half of Merseyside.
5) Fraser Forster
Another area that Everton are rumoured to be looking to strengthen for next season is the goalkeeping department, particularly after Tim Howard’s recent departure to MLS side Colorado Rapids, and Fraser Forster is reportedly one of their targets.
Forster impressed in the second half of last season, after missing the entire first half of the season through injury, and went on to keep 6 clean sheets in 18 appearances for the Saints. The England international has become one of the most reliable keepers in the Premier League and would be a fantastic acquisition for Everton should they be able to land him.
He would be unlikely to come cheap and Southampton will likely be reluctant to sell, but with Everton’s rumoured £100 million transfer budget, they are now in a position to flex their financial muscles and could make a statement by signing the Southampton goalkeeper for big money.
