OPINION
Ronald Koeman would push Everton into the top six of the Premier League with the signing of Werder Bremen attacker Serge Gnabry.
Werder confirmed on their official Twitter account on Thursday that the former Arsenal star would leave his current side after activating a clause in his current deal that allows him to depart.
BREAKING: @SergeGnabry has activated a clause in his contract and will leave #Werder at the end of the month. pic.twitter.com/rHY7E1sNpE
— SV Werder Bremen EN (@werderbremen_en) June 8, 2017
Here, This Is Futbol considers three reasons why the Toffees should capitalise on Gnabry’s decision to leave by bringing him back to the Premier League.
Something to prove to Arsenal
If the 21-year-old attacker does indeed opt to return to England, but with Everton, he will be desperate to prove to the Gunners that they were wrong to let him leave. Gnabry left the Emirates Stadium for a nothing fee believed to be less than £5million, and will have more than tripled that price tag with his form in the final third this season. The Germany international made just 18 senior appearances for the north London side, struggling to have an impact. With Wenger watching on, Gnabry will be looking to prove his worth by shining in Merseyside if brought to Everton this summer and that could bring the best out of the attacker.
Proven scorer
Gnabry was hardly given a look in during his time in north London, but since his move to Bremen, Gnabry has starred for the German outfit. The versatile attacking midfielder has scored an impressive 11 goals against the likes of RB Leipzig, Borussia Monchengladbach and Schalke during his 27 league and cup encounters this season, and that kind of form would prove pivotal to Everton’s chances of breaking into the top six. Top scorer Romelu Lukaku lead the goalscoring rankings with 26 league strikes this season, but Ross Barkley was second with only six goals. Bringing in Gnabry will give the Toffees goals from elsewhere and remove the pressure on Lukaku.
Current Koeman options
Enner Valencia is set to return to West Ham after a disappointing loan spell at Goodison Park, while Yannick Bolasie remains sidelined with a long-term knee injury. Aiden McGeady and Gerard Deulofeu are also expected to leave Everton this summer, after spending last season on loan with Preston and AC Milan respectively. That leaves Koeman with just Kevin Mirallas and Ademola Lookman as his options on the flanks, and top-quality cover is needed. Following Gnabry’s eye-catching season in Bundesliga, the Toffees should do all they can to fend off competition to solve Koeman’s problem area with the fleet-footed attacker.