OPINION
Everton are yet to make their first signing of the summer transfer window, and it will not be long before fans start to grow impatient with the club and boss Marco Silva.
However, the addition of Genoa midfielder Diego Laxalt could change all of that, as it has been reported by Calcio Mercato that a host of clubs are after the services of the World Cup star – and the Toffees must hijack their interest in order to land him.
The left-sided flyer represented Uruguay at the tournament before they were knocked out by finalists France in the quarter-final, and he appears to have caught the attention of Crystal Palace, as well as Benfica, Galatasaray, Wolfsburg and Valencia, as revealed by the Italian report.
The 25-year-old was arguably one of Uruguay’s standout performers in their promising World Cup run, and has clearly caught the eye of many after playing as an attacking full-back for his country.
This quality also means he is able to operate as a left-winger, a position which could potentially be lacking at Everton if Ademola Lookman and Yannick Bolasie were to exit the club this summer.
His international pedigree would most certainly aid him in establishing himself in such a role, while there is even the possibility of using him as a replacement for Leighton Baines.
Genoa are said to value him at around £17.6 million (€20 million), which is not out of the Toffees’ price range – and they are in a position to bid even higher should a bidding war begin for the Serie A midfielder.
The prospect of a top-ten finish should be enough to convince Laxalt to move to Merseyside rather than South London, or even a move to a suitor in Europe.
Nevertheless, Silva must make sure to hijack his Premier League rivals’ pursuit of the Uruguayuan international and bring him to Goodison Park.