da pixbet： According to reports in The Mirror, Everton have joined the race to sign West Ham United star Manuel Lanzini this summer.
What’s the word, then?
da dobrowin： Well, last week Toffees manager Ronald Koeman said Ross Barkley had a week to decide whether he was going to stay at Goodison Park after so far failing to agree to extend his contract with the Merseyside outfit that is due to run out next summer.
The Dutchman says that if he refuses to commit his future to the club then he will be sold at the end of the season, and it is a scenario that is looking increasingly likely.
Koeman will already have started sounding out potential replacements and he has been impressed with Irons attacking midfielder Lanzini this term.
How has he done this season?
Despite the Hammers suffering a disappointing campaign, the 24-year-old has been one of their standout performers after scoring eight goals in 33 Premier League appearances.
In addition, he has created 50 chances for his teammates and has quickly becomes the playmaker for the team and a fans’ favourite following the departure of Dimitri Payet during the January transfer window.
Everton believe that the Argentine star can be an effective replacement for Barkley if the England international does indeed depart.
How much would he cost?
Lanzini cost just £9.4m when he joined the Irons on a permanent deal just over a year ago but reports in The Mirror earlier in the week suggest that he would cost more than three times that amount now.
Koeman is already keen to shell out £25m to bring Gylfi Sigurdsson to Goodison Park, and it remains to be seen whether he would be keen to pay even more for the Irons man, or whether he is an alternative option.
What’s the verdict, then?
West Ham will likely resist any bids they get for Lanzini because he has become such a vital part of the side.
In addition, it seems unlikely that Everton will sign both Sigurdsson and the Argentine this summer, but if Koeman does prefer the latter then the Irons could agree to a deal if they get a fee that they are happy with.
It would also perhaps allow Slaven Bilic to sign the Iceland international from Swansea to replace him, with the Croatian understood to be a big fan of his.
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