Rumour Reel: Koeman seeks Pelle reunion at Goodison, eyes stopper Schmeichel too
Lee Gormley | July 5, 2016
Coral’s rumour reel
The summer transfer window has now been open for just a matter of days and we’ve already witnessed a flurry of business and movement among Premier League clubs, while an exciting Euro 2016 continues across the Channel in France.
There is set to be further deals done in the coming weeks, with Everton just one top-flight side hoping to snap up some new talent ahead of the 2016/17 season.
Toffees target Foxes stopper Schmeichel?
After helping Leicester City clinch a historic Premier League title triumph, Foxes goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has now become a transfer target for Ronald Koeman’s Everton, as the Dutchman looks to bolster his inherited Toffees ranks.
The King Power Stadium number one was in sublime form all last term as Claudio Ranieri’s men rallied to an incredible success story in the top-flight, and the shot stopper’s stock has rocketed since those heroic displays between the sticks.
Schmeichel, now 29, is believed to hold a £17m release clause in his current contract with Leicester, and it’s one that new Toffees boss Koeman is keen to activate this summer to boost his defensive ranks at Goodison Park.
Previously long-standing Toffees goal guard Tim Howard has moved on from the blue half of Merseyside, and Schmeichel is reportedly seen as the American’s long-term replacement, though he would have to leave assured Champions League football behind in Leicester.
Pelle also on Koeman’s wanted list?
Koeman is quickly trying to rebuild his new Everton set-up in the coming weeks and his former reliable Southampton striker Graziano Pelle is another desired player, having worked together at both St Mary’s and in the Netherlands with Feyenoord.
The Saints frontman struck 15 times in all competitions during the season gone by while working under Dutch tactician Koeman, helping the south cast club rally to an impressive sixth place finish in the Premier League.
Pelle starred for Italy at this summer’s Euro 2016 finals on French soil, as he netted twice in a double of 2-0 victories over both Belgium and 2012 champions Spain, but haplessly missed a penalty in the quarter-final shootout defeat to Germany.
Everton finished in the bottom half of the top tier table in the past term and Koeman is keen on a reunion with Pelle, with current hitman Romelu Lukaku’s future still shrouded in doubt after his appearances at Euro 2016 too.
Man Utd make Matuidi move?
Manchester United have enjoyed a great summer so far, with new boss Jose Mourinho having snapped up attackers Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, though they have also been heavily linked with a move for former youth academy star Paul Pogba.
Although, in a twist of the tale, PSG midfielder Blaise Matuidi has instead been highlighted as the next potential arrival at Old Trafford, with reports suggesting his agent Mino Raiola is trying to help move such a switch along swiftly.
French super agent Raiola also represents both the Red Devils’ new acquisitions Ibrahimovic and Mkhitaryan, as well as Juventus ace Pogba, Everton frontman Lukaku and Liverpool misfit Mario Balotelli.
Matuidi is still enjoying a strong Euro finals campaign with host nation France and they will next face current world champions Germany on Thursday night, with a place in the final on home soil up for grabs, while a possible Premier League move looms large for the midfield maestro.
Related
With the summer in full swing, there’s gossip aplenty in Coral’s Rumour Reel, so check out other editions to ensure you don’t miss any tasty tabloid titbits.
Have a look at our extensive Euro 2016 section.
