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Rumour Reel: Toffees set sights on Strootman as Stoke swoop for Berahino

| 16.06.2016
SPORTSBOOK ODDS

Robbie Purves | June 16, 2016

Despite the summer window officially opening on July 1st, it seems clubs are already chasing down their transfer targets one by one as they look to complete some of their business while Euro 2016 hots up.

Toffees set sights on Strootman

Ronald Koeman’s Everton are reportedly planning a swoop for Roma’s Kevin Strootman, after two years of debilitating injuries. The 26-year-old centre midfielder joined the Rome outfit in 2013 and has barely featured since tearing his ACL in March 2014.

Italy Soccer Serie A

According to reports, Koeman wants to rebuild the Goodison Park spine, with Strootman the first of many signings, as majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri looks to kick-start his era with a bang. The Toffees are understood to boast an impressive transfer budget with the recent takeover and bumper TV deal, but the Dutch player is contracted to 2018 and will command a large fee and Everton have reportedly been quoted a £30m price tag.

However, having already lost Miralem Pjanic to Serie A rivals Juventus, it is unlikely Luciano Spalletti’s side will let Strootman leave without a fight.

Despite a stop-start few years, Strootman is still highly rated, with his tackling, passing and tactical intelligence the key to his game. Roberto Martinez’s Everton looked weak in the centre this campaign, and the former PSV midfielder could add the steel that the Blues were devoid of.

Stoke for swoop for Saido

Stoke have reportedly opened talks over a £15m deal for Saido Berahino. Mark Hughes has identified a prolific striker as priority and sees the West Bromwich Albion attacker as the resolution to the Potters’ poor striking options.

Hughes’ side scored just 11 goals between their three strikers; Mame Diouf, Joselu and Peter Crouch this campaign, so the Baggies forward would present Stoke with a significant upgrade.

West Bromwich Albion v Watford - Barclays Premier League - The Hawthorns

Berhaino was revealed as a Stoke target back in January, but have carried their interest into summer. With only one year left on his deal with the Baggies, chairman Jeremy Peace has reduced his asking price to between £15m-£20m. Last summer Tottenham had four bids rejected, with the final offer totalling £23m, but their interest has waned with Mauricio Pochettino targeting other forwards in preparation for the Champions League.

Questions remain around Berahino’s attitude, but Hughes may be able to get the striker, prone to strops and falling outs, under control.

The Welsh manager is also reportedly rivalling Southampton in the £10m chase for Norwich City winger Nathan Redmond and remains keen on Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish.

Fenerbahce interested in Man Utd man

Turkish giants Fenerbahce are interested in bringing Manchester United fans’ favourite Juan Mata to Istanbul – according to reports in Turkey. The Spaniard, who joined United in 2014, is thought to be in danger after the club appointed Jose Mourinho.

Crystal Palace v Manchester United - Emirates FA Cup - Final - Wembley Stadium

The new Old Trafford boss, sold Mata during his second spell a Chelsea and he labelled him as a ‘luxury player’. Hitting back at the tag, Mata said: “If a luxury player is a player who scores and assists and has good stats, then I’m happy to be a luxury player.

Fenerbahce boss Vitor Pereira, has supposedly earmarked the creative Spanish midfielder to replace Diego Ribas who could move to France this summer. The Istanbul outfit have previously raided United for Nani and Robin van Persie and could be set to do it again.

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Author

Robbie Purves