Everton and interested in signing AZ Alkmaar defender Yukinari Suguwara as he is “very likely” to be on the move this summer, according to Florian Plettenberg.
The Sky Sports Germany journalist reported via Twitter on 12 May that the 23-year-old is sought-after around Europe with multiple teams having asked about him, and the Toffees are joined by Brighton, Inter and Wolfsburg in targeting him.
Japanese international Sugawara will have a year left on his contract at the end of the season so it is expected that he could be leaving the Eredivisie side, with an asking price of around €6million [£5.19m].
The “key player” for Alkmaar has made 40 total appearances this term, scoring four times and assisting seven in all competitions.
Sean Dyche after new Everton right-back
As soon as a transfer fee is mentioned it is impossible not to wonder whether the financial situation at Goodison Park will push such a deal out of the club’s reach.
In regular circumstances the a move for Suguwara would look like it might be a bargain acquisition for a Premier League club, and based on his output, age and affordability seems a deal that makes a lot of sense.
But with the Everton takeover situation still unresolved and Kevin Thelwell having acknowledged that sales are going to be needed this summer, with the risk of a third spending charge looming next season otherwise, it remains to be seen what, if anything, can be spent in the market.
More money arrived from 777 at the end of the week, and a major sale of a Jarrad Branthwaite or Amadou Onana could deliver a small budget even if the majority of that money will no doubt go on running costs.
Sean Dyche has an unsettled picture at right-back, with Ashley Young and Seamus Coleman a combined age of 73 already, Nathan Patterson well out of favour, and Ben Godfrey better suited as a centre-back.
But up against a giant like Inter, and even Premier League competition in Brighton, the free transfer pursuit of Ben Johnson from West Ham potentially has a greater chance of success.
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