David Moyes is pushing Everton to sign a “quality” £30m-rated player as a replacement for Jarrad Branthwaite should he leave in the summer, according to a reliable reporter.
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After snatching a last-minute equaliser against Liverpool in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, Moyes went on to confirm that the Toffees had suffered a blow, as Iliman Ndiaye is facing weeks on the sidelines after going off injured in tears against the Reds.
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“Iliman has got a medial [knee] ligament injury. It’s not looking great at the moment. We’re probably not sure how long it’s going to be. We’ll get a bit more on that, but it’s certainly going to be a few weeks.”
That would have been devastating news for Everton, but in their first game without the attacker, they managed to pick up three points away at Crystal Palace.
Away from injury news, it’s been reported that Moyes could be looking to bring Tom Fellows to Everton in the summer, as he wants to add a talented youngster to his side in the off-season. Fellows is reportedly keen on the move to Everton, though West Brom are reportedly after £20m for their academy product.
Moyes pushing Everton to sign £30m ace
Fellows is not the only player on Moyes’ radar, as according to reporter Alan Nixon (as relayed by Football League World), Everton are interested in signing Maxime Esteve from Burnley as a replacement for Branthwaite should he depart.
Nixon stated that Everton’s interest in the Burnley defender comes as the Toffees prepare for the potential departure of Branthwaite, who could leave for around £60m in the summer.
Moyes has identified Esteve as an adequate replacement, which could come as a source of frustration for Burnley, as he’s been key to them being one of the standout sides in the Championship.
The 22-year-old joined the Clarets on loan in February last year before joining on a permanent basis in the summer. The centre-back, who could cost Everton as much as £30m in the summer, has started all 33 Championship games to date.
The Toffees’ chances of signing the defender could be increased if Burnley fail to seal promotion to the Premier League.
Esteve, who has been labelled a “quality” centre-back by talent scout Jacek Kulig, is a left-footer like Branthwaite and is the same age as the Everton defender, making him an ideal like-for-like replacement.
However, as Everton had to with Branthwaite, they may have to be patient with Esteve, as he’s only got 16 appearances to his name in the top flight, and it will be a different environment going from Burnley in the Championship to Everton in England’s biggest league.
