HALEWOOD, ENGLAND – MARCH 9: (L-R) Aaron Lennon, Romelu Lukaku, Ashley Williams and Mason Holgate during the Everton FC training session at USM Finch Farm on March 9, 2017 in Halewood, England. (Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)
A review of the talent the Toffees will target this summer.
Everton and manager Ronald Koeman find themselves in a unique position as they move toward the final weeks of the English Premier League season. Currently outside of the UEFA Champions League spots in seventh place, the Toffees know that European qualification is an absolute necessity as they work their way into an elite club.
The potential has always been there for Everton, and they certainly still have much work to be done in the 2016-17 campaign. But to keep moving upward into the top-tier of football clubs, the blue half of Merseyside must focus on keeping a hold of their talent and signing key pieces during the summer transfer period.
Last year’s summer transfer window saw quality signings like Yannick Bolasie, Ashley Williams and Idrissa Gueye arrive at Goodison Park. Koeman’s side will want to see more of the same, as European dreams can become reality with intelligent player acquisitions and finding the right fit for a particular line-up.
We highlight and review five players that Everton will be targeting in the coming months.
Ross Barkley and striker Romelu Lukaku about continuing their playing careers with Everton</a>.</p>
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<p>Last year’s summer transfer window saw quality signings like Yannick Bolasie, Ashley Williams and Idrissa Gueye arrive at Goodison Park. Koeman’s side will want to see more of the same, as European dreams can become reality with intelligent player acquisitions and finding the right fit for a particular line-up.</p>
<p>We highlight and review five players that Everton will be targeting in the coming months.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/03/11/five-early-summer-transfer-targets-everton/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Number five </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Boavista’s Portuguese defender Edu Machado (L) with Porto’s Algerian forward Yacine Brahimi (R) during the Premier League 2016/17 match between Boavista FC and FC Porto, at Bessa XXI Stadium in Porto on February 26, 2017. (Photo by Pedro Lopes / DPI / NurPhoto via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3><strong>Yacine Brahimi – FC Porto</strong></h3>
<p>Ronald Koeman’s tactical approach can see a significant importance on flexibility and a player’s ability to adapt to what the opposition is giving them. In this regard, <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/03/11/five-early-summer-transfer-targets-everton/"http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/everton-see-336million-yacine-brahimi-8757393">another move at Porto’s Yacine Brahimi could see the see the signing of Everton’s attacking catalyst</a>.</p>
<p>The Algerian international was a target of Everton and several other clubs this past summer, but ultimately stayed in Portugal. Since arriving at Porto in July of 2014, Brahimi has been electric at the top of the Dragoes line-up and has scored over 20 goals across all competitions thus far.</p>
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<p>The 27-year-old has made an impact on the international stage as well. Along with team-mates Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani, Brahimi has helped to produce strong recent results for Algeria.</p>
<p>Possessing excellent vision, control and pace, Brahimi is able to play in a variety of positions. Pushed out wide, played centrally or even higher in the attack, he is able to frustrate defences with his creativity.</p>
<p>Combining with the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Yannick Bolasie, Ronald Koeman could see the Everton attack boosted in a significant way with the summer signing of Yacine Brahimi.</p>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">SWANSEA, WALES – MARCH 04: Gylfi Sigurdsson of Swansea City in action during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Burnley at The Liberty Stadium on March 4, 2017 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Athena Pictures/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3><strong>Gylfi Sigurdsson – Swansea City</strong></h3>
<p>Proven talent in the Premier League is not always be easy to find, and that fact can be true for any club. With this thought in mind, Everton’s <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/03/11/five-early-summer-transfer-targets-everton/"https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/3058484/everton-transfer-news-gylfi-sigurdsson-swansea/">reported pursuit of Swansea City midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson</a> is an understandable and potentially excellent transfer.</p>
<p>The Icelandic international has displayed immense skill during his time in the English top flight, scoring 41 Premier League goals between his time with Tottenham and Swansea. An attacking midfielder in the purest sense, Sigurdsson’s abilities from free-kick situations make him a constant danger to opposing defences.</p>
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<p>A part of the Iceland team that shocked the world with their incredible performance at Euro 2016, Sigurdsson showcases a magnificent determination on the pitch and has the attributes that helps to make team-mates around him even better.</p>
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<p>Ronald Koeman adding the 27-year-old to his Everton line-up could see benefits throughout the midfield. With Morgan Schneiderlin and Idrissa Gueye able to operate effectively in the holding positions in front of the back-line, Sigurdsson could produce a lethal attack alongside Ross Barkley.</p>
<p>Thanks to a forward of Romelu Lukaku’s quality, Koeman may be able to count on several goals in each and every match.</p>
<p>With an eye on becoming regular entrants in the UEFA Champions League, the summer signing of Gylfi Sigurdsson would greatly improve Everton’s midfield.</p>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – DECEMBER 11 : Youri Tielemans midfielder of RSC Anderlecht issues instructions during the Jupiler Pro League match between RSC Anderlecht and Club Brugge in the Constant Vandenstock Stadium on December 11, 2016 in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo by Nico Vereecken/Photonews via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3><strong>Youri Tielemans – Anderlecht</strong></h3>
<p>Pace and skill in the middle of the pitch likely will only enhance what Everton do best, with one of the Premier League’s best strikers and a stern defence at the back. A promising talent both for the present and the future at Goodison Park could <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/03/11/five-early-summer-transfer-targets-everton/"http://talksport.com/football/transfer-news-anderlecht-legend-expects-everton-and-tottenham-target-youri-tielemans-move">come in the form of Belgian youngster Youri Tielemans</a>.</p>
<p>The 19-year-old Anderlecht product brings with him solid skills and a bright future, while already accomplishing quite a bit in a short period of time at the professional level. Tielemans has been part of Belgian top flight titles, earned his first caps with his home nation’s senior side and has played in the UEFA Champions League.</p>
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<p>Immediately noted for his creativity and skill on the ball, Tielemans stock has risen quickly. The adjustment to life in the Premier League is certainly something to consider, but there appears to be little concern that the teenager will eventually flourish.</p>
<p>With fellow Red Devils like Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and potential club team-mate Romelu Lukaku thriving in England, Tielemans could be ready to move on from Anderlecht in the near future.</p>
<p>Everton may have competition for the player’s signature this coming summer, but the addition of a rising star like Youri Tielemans could produce success for many years to come.</p>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">ESTORIL, PORTUGAL – FEBRUARY 25: Sporting CP’s goalkeeper Rui Patricio from Portugal in action during the Primeira Liga match between GD Estoril Praia and Sporting CP at Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota on February 25, 2017 in Estoril, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3><strong>Rui Patricio – Sporting CP</strong></h3>
<p>For such a long period of time, Everton had the luxury of goalkeeper Tim Howard turning in strong performances year after year. The Toffees may be able to find another reliable and experienced individual at the position with Rui Patricio.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
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<p>Spending his entire career at Sporting CP in Lisbon, the 29-year-old has achieved great success throughout a variety of different levels in world football.</p>
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<p>His recent brilliance came during his incredible form at Euro 2016, where Patricio helped to lead Portugal to their first major trophy.</p>
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<p>Both Joel Robles and Maarten Stekelenburg have been inconsistent, and Ronald Koeman may look to put a new goalkeeper on the pitch moving ahead. Patricio has displayed top-class positioning and sharp instincts, and the leadership he would bring to the squad could have a tremendous effect.</p>
<p>Everton <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/03/11/five-early-summer-transfer-targets-everton/"https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/premierleague/1457636/everton-transfer-news-toffees-after-portugals-euro-2016-hero-rui-patricio-as-he-is-desperate-for-premier-league-move/">reportedly attempted to make a transfer happen this past summer</a>, but were unsuccessful.</p>
<p>With a need for a steady presence at goalkeeper, Everton and Ronald Koeman could provide a great addition to the line-up with Rui Patricio.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/03/11/five-early-summer-transfer-targets-everton/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Number one </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – JANUARY 21: Wayne Rooney of Manchester United shows appreciation to the fans after the Premier League match between Stoke City and Manchester United at Bet365 Stadium on January 21, 2017 in Stoke on Trent, England. Wayne Rooney scored his 250th goal for Manchester United in all competitions, which makes him the club’s top goal scorer of all time. He surpasses the record previously held by Sir Bobby Charlton. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3><strong>Wayne Rooney – Manchester United</strong></h3>
<p>The return home is something that few footballers get the chance to be a part of. A career can take a player on a global journey. But Everton could make supporters’ dreams come true with the <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/03/11/five-early-summer-transfer-targets-everton/"http://metro.co.uk/2017/02/28/manchester-uniteds-wayne-rooney-a-transfer-target-for-everton-ronald-koeman-hints-6478739/">summer signing of Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney</a>.</p>
<p><a href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/03/11/five-early-summer-transfer-targets-everton/"https://playingfor90.com/2017/01/27/wayne-rooney-all-time-top-ten-goals/">After becoming United’s all-time leader in goals</a>, Rooney appears ready to move on from Old Trafford in the coming months. Although rumours of a transfer to the Chinese Super League or Major League Soccer have come up, the Toffees and Ronald Koeman still believe the 31-year-old has what it takes to keep contributing to a successful Premier League side.</p>
<p>Developing through Everton’s academy, Rooney’s short time with the senior side featured a meteoric rise and subsequent switch to Manchester United.</p>
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<p>The pace and movements may not be exactly as they once were, but the English international’s quality is still present in a significant way. Operating alongside Romelu Lukaku on the front-line or with Ross Barkley in the midfield, Koeman would be able to utilise Rooney’s best abilities.</p>
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