With Joel Robles’ contract expiring this summer and fans wishing him well as he made the switch to Real Betis, speculation seems to be growing that Maarten Stekelenburg could be looking to secure himself one final shot at more regular first-team action.
Having arrived under Ronald Koeman, also moving from Southampton in the summer of 2016, he has only played 24 times for the club, with his last appearance coming back in September of last season.
LOSC Lille are interested in signing Maarten Stekelenburg. (Source: France Football) pic.twitter.com/PTkpA5hw66
— Everton Blue Army (@EvertonBlueArmy) July 10, 2018
France Football have recently linked the soon to be 36-year-old with a possible move to Ligue 1 side Lille.
There’s nothing concrete in the reports and it seems to centre around Luis Campos who is now their Sporting Director who knows him from his time at Monaco according to their report, but it hits the buzzword of experience and that he’s playing second fiddle to Jordan Pickford and the fact his stock continues to rise given England’s World Cup semi-final run.
We already need to look at adding a third stopper for cover and competition, unless Marco Silva has seen enough from one of the younger lads (Mateusz Hewelt in particular) to step up, so if an offer does come in then the choice for Everton would be an opportunity to cash in and potentially save on his wages to chip away at our budget.
With his lack of game time and his age, I’m actually pretty surprised reactions to the possibility of a departure were so mixed. It seems most are in favour but it’s dependent on who we replace him with more than anything.
And have no second choice?
— Jack Ellison (@JEllison1878) July 10, 2018
On that kind of thinking how does any club sign a back-up ?
Chelsea have Caballero backing up Courtois, Spurs Vorm to Lloris, Arsenal Ospina to Cech etc… we'll get a goalie— Andy Costigan (@AndyCostigan1) July 10, 2018
Well yes but if he breaks his legs… Who do we play? 😀
— Robert (@IshikawaRob) July 10, 2018
Jordan Pickford
— Connor (@Manners16) July 10, 2018
Lille want Stekelenburg. Didn't even realise he was still at Everton.
— Dean (@ArsenalNexus) July 9, 2018
Lille after Stekelenburg reportedly. Should be shifting him this summer & bringing in other back up for Pickford.
— Ian (@Ghedin1878) July 9, 2018
Stekelenburg is still with Everton? ???????????? https://t.co/TrUmsH00Cx
— TTYesterday (@TTYesterday) July 10, 2018