Everton are in the market for a central midfielder, with Idrissa Gana Gueye due to leave.
Idrissa Gueye is out of contract in the summer, and as it stands, there’s been no sign of a renewal.
As such, Everton seem to be drawing up a list of potential replacements, with Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney linked to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
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Southampton’s Shea Charles has also emerged as a target for the Toffees, as they’ve been scouting him in recent weeks.
With that said, we’ve revisited some comments from Southampton’s sporting director on Charles’ future at the club.
- READ MORE: David Moyes’ transfer plan presents major risk, Everton chiefs must consider abandoning it
Southampton confident they can keep Everton target Shea Charles
Speaking back in December, Southampton’s director of football Johannes Spors commented on Charles’ future.
Spors seemed pretty confident the Championship promotion hopefuls would be able to fend off any interest for their Northern Ireland international.
“We are not in a rush with that because he has two more years (including one-year club option),” the Saints chief stated.
“I’m absolutely not against him signing a new contract earlier, though.”
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Southampton are in a decent position to retain Charles’ signature and their chances of keeping him will be significantly boosted if they gain promotion to the Premier League.
Tonda Eckert’s side have won six games on the bounce in the league and are in with a late shout of finishing in the automatic spots.
So, Everton may be forced to look elsewhere as they search for a potential Gueye successor this summer.
The Toffees are ‘strong admirers’ of West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes, so he could be an option.
Although, that’d be a really difficult deal to pull off as well.
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