Everton Transfer Rumors: 5 Players That Can Push the Toffees into European Play
For the second consecutive season, a slow start doomed late-charging Everton and cost them a spot in the major European leagues next season. Although they were never a true threat to secure a top-four spot for a Champions League berth, the Toffees were definitely contenders for the Europa League heading into the season.
The team never fully recovered from an 0-3-3 start, which included a home loss to Newcastle United, as they finished seventh in the table with 54 points. The hallmark of the season was probably the inconsistent offensive production, especially from the striker position, which only produced 15 goals in 38 games.
The size of the budget that chairman Bill Kenwright has given to manager David Moyes is unclear, but if past summers are any indication, the budget won't suffice to land any of the top available strikers. The flip side of the coin is that Kenwright must understand that maintaining the status quo isn't good enough, and that a few additions will need to be made for Everton to take the next step back into European play.
With that in mind, here are five attacking players Everton should target this offseason.
Demba Ba (West Ham United)
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Demba Ba scored seven goals in 12 games, including 10 starts, with West Ham United this season after coming over from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, where he scored six goals in 15 starts. He is a shoot-first striker and would fit perfectly with Everton.
The only problem appears to be money. Ba's asking price continues to rise as other teams, including Sunderland and Newcastle, show interest in the talented striker. The Everton brass has said it wants to make three or four additions during the transfer period, but that if they have to overpay to get Ba, that number might drop.
If the price reaches a point where Ba would become the only immediate contributor Moyes could afford, Everton will probably shy away from the Senegal nation. At some point, however, the Toffees are going to need to open the pocket book and sign a legitimate goal-scoring threat like Ba if they plan on returning to European league play.
Jay Bothroyd (Cardiff City)
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Jay Bothroyd is a name Everton fans have heard a lot since the end of the season. The 29-year-old veteran netted 18 goals in 39 league games for Cardiff City, the best single-season output of his career. The most appealing part of this scenario for Moyes is that it would be a free transfer, leaving whatever funds he has available untouched.
The question surrounding Bothroyd is whether his performance this season was a fluke, or an indication that he is just a late bloomer. Entering the season, he had scored 59 goals in 280 career appearances, so to score 20 goals in 41 games among all competitions is quite the improvement. He did get called up by England for a friendly against France, however, which may indicate that people are starting to believe Bothroyd is finally coming into his own.
Bothroyd would be a low-risk addition for Everton, and as a team desperate for help up front, it certainly seems like Moyes should get the striker to Goodison Park before other teams that could be considering him as a fall-back option start inquiring.
Craig Mackail-Smith (Peterborough United)
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While playing for Peterborough United in League One this season, Craig Mackail-Smith scored 35 goals in all competitions, including 30 in 48 league games. The 27-year-old Scotland national team member was named the League One Player of the Year as his 30 goals were eight more than any other player in the league.
The jump from League One to the Premiership would obviously entail a transition period for Mackail-Smith, but with Everton relying on just the inconsistent Jermaine Beckford and the injury-prone Louis Saha up front, he would undoubtedly get a chance to prove himself early next season.
Mackail-Smith has several other possible suitors, however, so if Everton wants to bet on him transitioning well to the Premiership, they will need to act fast. Moyes has had success with players that some believed weren't Premier League material, including American Landon Donovan, so Mackail-Smith is worth whatever risk he carries for a team desperate for goals.
DJ Campbell (Blackpool)
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DJ Campbell scored 13 goals in 31 games for Blackpool this season, but it wasn't enough to stop the Seasiders from getting relegated, as they finished in 19th place. Due to the demotion, Campbell's name has begun to make the rounds in rumor mills. Although the asking price is unknown, it is believed to be around $2 million.
Campbell has played for nine teams over the past 10 years and has scored at every stop. Thus, should Everton acquire him, they could expect this trend to continue. In all, he has tallied 151 goals in 347 career appearances and would likely join Moyes' starting eleven immediately if he were to join the Toffees.
So far, it seems like Fulham are the favorites to sign the 29-year-old striker, so Everton would need to make their presence felt soon if they want to acquire him.
Gervinho (Lille)
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A 24-year-old striker from the Ivory Coast, Gervinho received an offer from Everton after it was determined he wanted to join a Premier League squad. However, the Toffees weren't among his top choices, and so he continues to search for offers from other Premiership teams.
Gervinho netted 14 goals in 34 games for Lille in France's Ligue 1 this season and added 10 assists. It is thought that he is entering his prime, thus the urgency to join the Premiership, but so far he has received only two offers. Aside from Everton, Newcastle is also in on the striker. It is indecipherable how his game will translate to Premier League play, but as mentioned in previous slides, Everton needs to take chances.
Everton can offer Gervinho what some of the bigger teams will not—guaranteed playing time. Whereas he might get lost in the shuffle with the deeper squads at the top of the table, Everton's desperate need for goal-scoring strikers will mean Gervinho will most certainly be a fixture in the starting lineup. The Toffees may not have been his first choice, but they may be his best option.
