OPINION
Ronald Koeman should look to bolster his options in Everton’s midfield by forming a reunion with Southampton midfielder Jordy Clasie.
The Sun claim the 26-year-old midfielder has been transfer listed by Southampton after manager Mauricio Pellegrino completed a move to sign former Juventus midfielder Mario Lemina for £13.5million.
It is said that Newcastle could reignite their interest in the former Feyenoord midfielder, as Toon manager Rafa Benitez looks to add depth to his Toon squad following a frustrating transfer window.
Koeman worked with Clasie at Feyenoord before luring the 17-time Holland international to Southampton during his two-year spell as manager of the Saints, prior to becoming the Toffees manager last summer.
Clasie signed for the Saints in the summer of 2015 for a fee of £8million and it is likely that the Saints will want to recuperate that figure if he is to leave the south coast before the end of the transfer window.
Everton have lost Gareth Barry to West Brom, after the veteran midfielder chose to leave the club in order to prolong his Premier League career rather than being given the odd appearance at Goodison Park.
It leaves Koeman with only Tom Davies, Idrissa Gueye, Morgan Schneiderlin and Muhamed Besic as options in the middle of the park, with Ireland international James McCarthy’s future in doubt as he struggles to overcome injury.
Everton are set to compete on four fronts this summer as they close in on qualifying for the Europa League group stages, with a 2-0 first-leg advantage going into Thursday’s second-leg Europa League play-off against Hajduk Split.
Depth is a necessity, and adding Clasie who has proven he is more than capable in the Europa League with both Southampton and Feyenoord would give Koeman plenty of options in midfield.
Clasie is known for his hard work and defensive qualities as a holding midfield player, and would be the perfect back-up to Gueye should the former Aston Villa midfielder become unavailable during a gruelling 2017-18 campaign.
Everton have continued to prove that they have money to spend under the stewardship of owner Farhad Moshiri after signing Gylfi Sigurdsson for £45million, and £8million for Clasie would prove a bargain buy this summer.
Koeman will know how to get the best out of Southampton’s number four, and it could see the midfielder become one of the bargain buys of the summer if the Toffees look to add Clasie to their ranks in the next 10 days.