Mario Gotze will be a free agent this summer after Borussia Dortmund decided not to extend his contract. The 27-year-old has been linked with Everton in the past and Football Insider have suggested they could return when he becomes unattached, but would the Toffees be wise making a move?
Gotze returned to Dortmund from Bayern Munich in 2016 and made 102 appearances in all competitions, scoring 14 goals and making 17 assists. He struggled for form in his final season, however, scoring only three times and making one assist in 20 games.
As per WhoScored, the German international created, 11 chances, had two successful dribbles (16.67%), took eight shots with 62.5% hitting the target, won 10 free-kicks and made 10 tackles in 14 Bundesliga outings.
Gotze spent the majority of the season on the bench, so his departure from the Westfalenmstadion wasn’t a surprise. And whether he’s worth signing for a club like Everton remains to be seen.
Under Marcel Brands, the Toffees have been targeting young talent to be developed, but Gotze has already peaked and hasn’t exactly put himself in the shop window this season. He’s also been on €190,000-per-week (£169.8k-per-week) in Germany, so he’d shatter Everton’s wage bill.
Dortmund are letting him go as he’s fallen down the pecking order, so why would an Everton side hoping to finish in the top-six next season want to recruit him?