OPINION
There has been wide speculation recently over Leicester City’s swoop for Austrian defender Aleksandar Dragovic, but a delay in wrapping up the deal seemingly has alerted Everton to snap up his services.
According to the Leicester Mercury, the Foxes have had a delay in a deal for the 6 foot (source: Transfermarkt) defender – who was on loan at the King Power Stadium last season from Bayer Leverkusen – meaning the Toffees are now in the hunt to bring the Austrian to the club.
Everton now need to hijack Leicester’s swoop for Dragovic’s signature as they aim to make the centre-back’s move to the Premier League permanent.
At Goodison Park, the 27-year-old will provide stability to an Evertonian defence that can be weak at times, not to mention ageing, and boss Marco Silva needs to snap him up or else end up regretting making a move.
Claude Puel did not give the Austrian international his debut until Boxing Day last year, in an away defeat to Watford – and he will not be happy he lost his place in the starting line-up after the injured Wes Morgan returned from injury, despite giving some good performances.
If a move to Leicester was on the cards, then Dragovic would not be guaranteed a place in the starting line-up, of which he will grow increasingly frustrated about.
Everton would assure him of regular game time and not wait months to put him on the pitch, and will be a solid presence in the Toffees’ back line alongside the likes of the experienced Leighton Baines.
He has a wealth of experience internationally with Austria, earning 63 caps, and Silva will want to exploit this hugely in order to push Everton further up the Premier League table next season.
A player who has the level of experience should not be sitting on the bench for long periods of time, when he could be playing regularly for a team like Everton, who would respect his services that bit more.
Silva now needs to take advantage of the fact that a deal has been delayed for Dragovic, and make a point in hijacking the move in what could be a sensational summer signing for Everton.