OPINION
Everton have reportedly reignited their interest in Fiorentina striker Nikola Kalinic after failing to lure him to Goodison Park last summer.
The Daily Mail claimed in their transfer news blog on Thursday afternoon (3.47pm) that the Toffees were eyeing a move for the 29-year-old forward, after losing Romelu Lukaku to Manchester United.
It is said that Everton have refocused their attention on the Croatia international after the trail of Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud had gone cold, with the Frenchman unwilling to leave the Emirates Stadium.
Serie A giants AC Milan are also interested in Kalinic but are yet to agree a fee for the former Blackburn striker and that could allow Everton to steal in and match Fiorentina’s asking price of £23million.
This Is Futbol weighs up whether a move for Kalinic would benefit Everton this season and beyond, and the likelihood of the Toffees actually pulling off a deal for the striker.
Good move for Everton?
The striker’s last tenure in England did not go particularly well. Moving to Blackburn in the summer of 2009 for a fee of just over £6million from Hajduk Split, Kalinic managed just 13 goals in 53 games.
However, he reinvigorated his career with Ukraine outfit Dnipro before joining Fiorentina in 2015, where has has scored an impressive 33 goals in 84 games.
But it was last season where he shone for La Viola, finding the back of the net 20 times in 42 matches as well as laying on four assists. That top-tier form has proven that Kalinic has got better with age.
Now, the 35-time international is more than worthy of Premier League football and would be a useful addition in the Europa League, if the Toffees can claw down the fee to around £18million.
This Is Futbol rating: 6/10.
Likely to happen?
Kalinic’s future with Fiorentina looks in doubt with three weeks still to run in the transfer window, with AC Milan ready to pounce.
However, Everton can match AC Milan with the lure of European football likely to tempt Kalinic to give English football a second try.
The striker has two years remaining on his current contract but with Fiorentina quoting a price for the striker, it appears that they are resigned to losing their star.
The only stumbling block for Everton would be the cost after already shelling out huge transfer fees on Jordan Pickford, Michael Keane and Davy Klaassen.
This Is Futbol rating: 5/10.