Everton eyeing exciting move for £82k-a-week star who plays like Sadio Mane

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This January could be a truly transformative one for Everton, who will look to Newcastle United for inspiration.

After all, it was October of 2021 when their Saudi-backed takeover was completed, which proceeded a huge January where they saved themselves from the drop.

With a few clever acquisitions, namely Bruno Guimaraes and Kieran Trippier, they fired themselves from bottom of the Premier League to comfortably mid-table, before then soaring into the Champions League the following campaign.

They identified key weaknesses, and with the newfound financial strength of their new owners, addressed them with ease.

With Dan Friedkin’s Everton takeover now looming too, there’s every chance that the American billionaire might seek to follow in the Magpies’ footsteps.

Everton showing transfer interest in Samu Chukwueze

The latest on Everton’s January transfer plans comes courtesy of Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport, who actually state that the Toffees are alone in their pursuit of one top target.

This will be music to Kevin Thelwell’s ears.

After all, Everton have wanted Samu Chukwueze for some time now, having been linked with the Nigerian winger back when he played for Villarreal in 2022.

Now whilst that did not materialise, given he now features for AC Milan, a topsy-turvy spell in Italy has seen him seek another move.

It is said that just €14m (£11.6m) should be enough to tempt them to sell the £82k-a-week trickster to Everton.

Samu Chukwueze would offer something new to Everton’s wingers

Although he may have struggled since moving to the San Siro, he remains an outstanding player just waiting to be unleashed in the right environment.

After all, this is the market that the Toffees have already dipped into the summer just gone, with Iliman Ndiaye one player who traded up after a tough year in France, and has already become a hero at Goodison Park.

Chukwueze, as well, despite scoring just one Serie A goal last season, remains a consistent threat due to his pace and trickery.

When compared to other wingers across Europe, he sits in the top 19% for total shots per 90, and the top 9% for progressive passes received per 90 as well, via FBref.

During his final year in Spain all well, he scored 13 and assisted a further 11 across all competitions, earning praise from former Liverpool man Alberto Moreno, who claimed: ‘He’s super incisive, fast; you never know where he’s going to go.

‘He’s strong too, young, and defined. He’s a lot like Sadio Mane. I’ve seen the two in training and they’re very similar.’

With Dwight McNeil a creative leader, but quite slow, and Jack Harrison offering energy and work rate without much end product, Chukwueze could provide a blend of the two should Everton manager Sean Dyche get him firing.