Everton are in the hunt to sign FC Ural defensive midfielder Petrus Boumal this summer, according to Foot Mercato.
The French football website report that the Toffees are lining up the 24-year-old as a potential replacement for key man Idrissa Gueye, should the Senegal international depart at the end of the season.
Foot Mercato claim that La Liga side Villareal are also showing interest in Boumal, who has been capped for Cameroon’s youth sides.
It is said that Russian Premier League side Ural have already rejected a January bid for Boumal, with Belgian side Genk seeing a £1.7million offer rejected for the enforcer.
Good move for Everton?
It is hard to say right now.
Boumal is impressing for FC Ural since joining them in the summer, but whether he can translate that form to the Premier League is a massive unknown.
Obviously, if Gueye does leave then they will need to bring in a replacement, but a midfielder with no experience in a top league would not seem to be the solution.
However, there is no doubt that Boumal is talented, and at 24 years old he still has a lot of time to improve further.
This is Futbol rating: 6/10
Likely to happen?
Firstly, you must look at the possibility of Gueye leaving Everton.
That would actually seem unlikely considering the midfielder just signed a new deal at the club this season, but his good form may indeed see him poached by a big club.
If that does happen, then Boumal may be an option, although there will certainly be others considered too.
This is Futbol rating: 3/10