Everton are running out of time to get a deal done to improve their forward line in an attempt to save their season and now a last-minute update has emerged from a reliable source.
What’s the latest?
According to journalist Alan Nixon, Everton have now made a late enquiry to sign Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta.
As per the report, the Merseyside club realise they are running out of options and as a result, have made a move for the Crystal Palace striker.
Unfortunately, it is claimed that they are likely to reject a move due to their limit on time to replace him but have been willing to listen to offers for a permanent transfer.
Imagine him & Gray
There is no doubt that the desperation at Goodison Park has reached its peak as the club have now taken their search for a forward down to the wire, which will be incredibly frustrating for the supporters who have already had to endure a nightmarish season already.
The Toffees are currently 19th in the Premier League table after a run of inconsistent and poor performances has left them two points deep into the relegation zone at this point with just 18 games left to go.
Indeed, the appointment of Sean Dyche will surely lift the hopes of the supporters as the former Burnley boss became somewhat of a relegation expert during his time at Turf Moor, saving the club time and time again from a drop back into the Championship on a shoe-string budget.
As a result, the signing of Mateta may seem like a stretch but if they could pull off a deal for the Palace centre-forward it could be a golden opportunity to add depth with a player who already has experience in the Premier League.
Over his short time at Selhurst Park so far, the 25-year-old talent – who was hailed “fantastic” by Steve Parish – has scored nine goals and delivered one assist which isn’t the best output for a striker, however, the Frenchman has not been given consistent game-time tallying up just 27 minutes per performance this season with Patrick Vieira preferring to deploy Odsonne Edouard and Jordan Ayew.
Should Everton sign Jean-Philippe Mateta?
Yes
No
Dyche could get the best out of Mateta at Goodison Park by forming an attacking partnership between the Palace outcast and Demarai Gray, with the Everton winger renowned for his pace, link-up play and dangerous balls into the box which could be taken advantage of by Mateta if he can gain consistent game time at Goodison.
Indeed, Gray has registered the second-highest number of key passes per game (1.3) in the entire Toffees squad this term so would certainly be one of the best placed to provide adequate scoring opportunities for Mateta.
With that being said, although the Palace attacker has struggled at his current club that doesn’t mean he can’t improve with more opportunities for first-team football with Everton and playing him alongside Gray could be the key to unlocking his untapped potential under Dyche’s management.
