Everton are considering a move for Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck, according to the Evening Standard.
The newspaper says that Everton are in ‘pole position’ to land the 28-year-old, who reportedly wants assurances of first-team action in order to increase his chances of adding to his 42 England caps at Euro 2020.
The Evening Standard adds that Welbeck wants to move to a club fighting for Champions League qualification, and that the Toffees are willing to increase Welbeck’s wages from the current £100,000 he pulls in each week.
Welbeck, whose current Gunners deal runs out at the end of June, only made 14 appearances last season after suffering an ankle injury in November.
Good move for Everton?
Definitely. Welbeck has gone off the boil massively under Unai Emery, not least because of his injury problems. When fit, the Englishman has played second-fiddle to Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who have been electric up front for the Gunners. But that does not mean that he has lost all his talent. Welbeck is still a fantastic striker – he wouldn’t have 42 England caps without being one – and he would certainly add goals to this Everton team next season. What’s more, the fact that his contract has come to an end means that he will be available on a free transfer, and getting him in will be fantastic business from the Blues.
This is Futbol rating 9/10
Likely to happen?
As has been mentioned, Welbeck – even if he was going to be offered an extension – would not get much game time at Arsenal with Aubameyang and Lacazette proving an incredible duo up front. This means he is bound to go somewhere else. The Evening Standard report suggests that Welbeck could be wood to Goodison Park due to the fact that fellow countryman and former Arsenal teammate Theo Walcott is at Everton, and this could prove crucial. Overall, it looks inevitable that Welbeck will leave, and moving to Merseyside would be a good move.
This is Futbol rating 8/10