da imperador bet: Last season should have been a different one for Everton.
da bet nacional: With Stones at the back, Barkley in midfield and Lukaku up front, a thin spine had formed, but whilst there were great expectations only sheer mediocrity surfaced.
Roberto Martinez paid for the lack of improvement with losing his role as Toffees boss, as the fans’ frustration became increasingly noticeable.
One lamentable performance after another, as the Everton team conceded goals aplenty and lost games, they would normally contrived to win. Star performers withered away to become shadows of their former selves and the board knew it was time for change.
With the introduction of Ronald Koeman as the new boss, in comes a war chest of around£100m. A blue revolution is in the air as Koeman goes shopping.
Here are his ten intended targets…
Axel Witsel
Witsel managed three goals and two assists in 29 league appearances from a defensive midfield position for Zenit last season.
After a sound individual display in the Euro’s, Witsel will have choices of where to pursue his career, but Koeman is keen.
Tim Krul
After the signing of Maartin Stekelenburg, Koeman still wants a No.1.
Fellow Dutchman Krul has impressed with Newcastle United and it’s thought that Krul will be making his way to Merseyside soon.
Krul is still under contract at Newcastle for another year meaning this summer will be the last big chance to cash in on the Hague-born stopper.
Graziano Pelle
Ronald Koeman is reportedly interested in reuniting with former striker Graziano Pelle, with a fee of up to £20m being talked about.
The Italian international has just one year left on his contract, so the Saints will demand a high fee for the 30-year-old.
Juan Mata
At £20m, Koeman is definitely interested in this midfield playmaker. A transfer to Goodison Park would reunite The Spaniard after their time at Valencia.
Michael Keane
Koeman has already failed with one bid to entice Keane away from newly promoted Burnley.
The 23-year-old has been a rock at the heart of Burnley’s defence this season as Sean Dyche’s men have won promotion back to the Premier League. Expect further bids as Stones departs.
Saido Berahino
The 22-year-old has just one more year left on his contract and has wanted to leave The Hawthorns for some time.
An ideal replacement for the outward bound Lukaku?
Yannick Bolasie
The Eagles are thought to be willing to allow the DR Congo international move on this summer after last week’s capture of Andros Townsend, and it’s believed that the Toffees are leading the chase for a player, who could end up costing around £20million.
Bolasie has been the Eagles’ stand-out performer of the last two seasons.
Kamil Grosicki
£10m-rated Polish winger Grosicki is currently with French side Rennes and is now on the Everton wish-list.
The speedy attacker has been tracked for some time by Koeman, who is keen to inject pace into his forward line. Grosicki, 28, is right-footed, but has been playing on the opposite flank for Poland during the Euro’s.
Morgan Schneiderlin
Rumoured to be happy to be reunited with Koeman at Everton and thought to be leaving United under Mourinho’s shake-up.
Mateo Kovacic
The Croatian midfielder has struggled to break into the team at the Bernebeu and it’s reported that Real Madrid are keen to recoup some of the outlay they paid Inter Milan last summer.
£30m is supposedly the asking price.