OPINION
Everton must make an audacious swoop to sign Roma attacker Cengiz Under this year after it was reported that the Turkey international wants to seal a switch to the Premier League in the summer.
Bleacher Report journalist Dean Jones claimed via his personal Twitter account on Friday that the 21-year-old is eager to quit Italy and head to England once this season is over.
It is understood that Roma are already preparing for his departure, which suggests it is inevitable that the player will arrive on these shores after the current campaign ends.
Cengiz Under wants to move to a Premier League club in the summer transfer window. Roma already starting to plan for life without him next season
— Dean Jones (@DeanJonesSoccer) January 18, 2019
Under has been in sensational form for Roma this season, scoring six goals and supplying nine assists in 24 appearances across all competitions.
The right-sided winger is young, fast and knows how to get among the goals, whether he is setting them up or sticking them in the back of the net himself.
That is exactly why Everton need to sign the former Basaksehir winger at some point this year.
Theo Walcott has been disappointing for Marco Silva on the right wing while Ademola Lookman has barely had an impact whenever he has been afforded the opportunity to play.
Under would be a major upgrade on both of these, which is why it could be an absolute masterstroke if Silva went in big to lure him away from Roma in the summer.
However it may mean that Everton would have to smash their current transfer record to sign him.
The Express reported in December that Roma value the winger at £50million, but it is understood that Roma are unlikely to offer him a payrise any time soon and if the player is so willing to quit the Stadio Olimpico, then that price could be negotiated down to something more affordable for Everton.
It would be a massive signing and a real coup for the Toffees, which is exactly why Farhad Moshiri must allow Silva and Marcel Brands to go big and snap up the Turkey dazzler this year.
If Everton want to challenge the top-six, then this is the kind of player they need to be signing.