Everton have been re-linked with AZ Alkmaar forward Oussama Idrissi, but now face a growing battle for the Moroccan’s signature with Leicester City thought to be keen.
Director of Football Marcel Brands was said to have approached Idrissi’s current Eredivisie side to discuss a move for the forward late into the winter market, but no deal occurred before the window slammed shut.
West Ham United, AS Roma and a clutch of unnamed clubs were also mentioned in reports discussing Idrissi’s future last month, but Calciomercato.IT now believe Leicester City and Dutch giants Ajax have also entered the frame.
The Foxes are said to have asked Alkmaar for information on Idrissi’s future at the AFAS Stadium, suggesting Brendan Rodger’s King Power natives are considering a move ahead of a potential campaign in the Champions League next season.
Leicester are currently ten points clear of fifth-placed Sheffield United and only trail Manchester City by two points in the fight to finish as runners-up to Jurgen Klopp’s title-elect Liverpool.
Rodgers may be keen to upgrade his wide options should he oversee the Foxes’ return to UEFA’s premier club competition, having heavily relied on Ayoze Perez and Harvey Barnes to serve as his wide options this term.
Should Brands look to land Idrissi in the summer?
Yes
No
Idrissi has featured exclusively on the left-wing for Alkmaar this term, with each of his 36 outings across all competitions coming in the role Barnes occupies for Leicester and Bernard, Alex Iwobi and Richarlison have occupied at Goodison Park this term.
The 23-year-old has turned in 16 goals and eight assists over those 36 appearances for a goal involvement of 24, including strikes against FC Astana in the Europa League and Feyenoord, FC Utrecht and ADO Den Haag in the Dutch top-flight.
Any side wishing to purchase Idrissi in the summer could face having to pay upwards of £20million to land his services, after Alkmaar were believed to have value him in the region of £17m and £20m when approached by Brands last month.
Since our approach, Idrissi stretched his goal involvement with his fourth brace of the Eredivisie season and scored against NAC Breda in the TOTO KNVB Beker, suggesting his stock will only continue to rise ahead of the summer market.
In other Everton news, Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly eying a €20m deep-lying playmaker who is attracting interest from multiple English sides.