How much should Everton fans read into the fact that the Toffees were omitted when one reporter provided a list of three Premier League clubs on the trail of Napoli’s Noa Lang?
This week, the Everton supporters were locked in a debate over Jack Grealish’s future at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Reports have indicated that the England international could be snapped up permanently for around £30 million. But, with his influence waning slightly after a stellar first few weeks in Everton blue, would spending much of their summer budget on a footballer on the wrong side of 30 really be the smart move?
Would you even pay £30m for Jack Grealish? 🫣
Italian publication Il Mattino indicates that Everton may have identified Napoli’s Noa Lang as a younger alternative. A younger alternative, yes, but not necessarily a cheaper one.
The reigning Serie A champions paid £24 million to sign Lang from PSV Eindhoven last summer. Napoli will hope to recoup every penny of that investment.
Galatasaray prepare Noa Lang bid as Everton eye Napoli winger
Writing on his official X account on Friday, reporter Alfredo Pedulla claimed that the bidding for Noa Lang is likely to start at around £21.5 million.
Interestingly, when mentioning the Premier League clubs who may be willing to go into bat against Turkish powerhouses Galatasaray, he made no mention of Everton.
“Galatasaray [are] ready to offer a figure exceeding 25 million [euros],” Pedulla writes. “Soundings from Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Fulham.”
Il Mattino throw Nottingham Forest and Sunderland into mix.
Whether there is any truth to Everton’s alleged interest may become clear in the coming days. What is obvious, though, is that the Toffees will face a great deal of competition should they look to bring Lang to the Hill Dickinson Stadium with an eye to taking Grealish’s place once he returns to Manchester City.
Serie A champions are keeping the faith with Dutch international
At the beginning of January, Napoli director Giovanni Manna told DAZN that the Partenopei were backing Lang to come good despite a difficult first few months under Antonio Conte.
“I didn’t say he’s on his way out, but I do expect a lot from him,” Manna said. “We’re sure that, if he gets his chances, he’ll take them. We won’t do things [in the transfer market] just for the sake of doing them, but only to improve the team.”
Lang, who likes to cut inside from the left like Grealish and has 15 caps for the Netherlands national team, has found starts easier to come by under the ever-demanding Conte of late.
“It’s a good sign from the coach to give everyone a chance to play, even those who had less playing time,” Lang told reporters in December after belatedly forcing his way into Conte’s frontline.
“Look at my situation; when I first arrived, I didn’t play much. But now I do. It shows that the coach believes in everyone.”
What changes do you want to see on Sunday? 🤔
Moyes will be limited to what he can change with this current squad
Jack Grealish back for Everton ahead of Aston Villa clash
David Moyes will be without Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Iliman Ndiaye again when Everton travel to Aston Villa for Sunday’s late kick-off. Grealish will make his return against his former employers, however, following a red card against Wolves.
Former Goodison Park left-back Michael Ball is backing Grealish to rediscover his early-season form once he has Dewsbury-Hall to link up with once again down the left-hand side.
“He’s had a fantastic start to his Everton career,” Ball told the Liverpool Echo. “And although the team have been going through a bad moment, this is the time that you want players like him to step up to the plate.
“There needs to be options and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall isn’t there to show for him. He’s been trying to get things going but he needs more help as full-backs need to go around him and strikers need to spin or come to feet.”
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