Everton eye move for “crafty” star once dubbed the new Dybala, Brands tempted by £32m swoop – report

Everton could well be one of the more active teams in the transfer market this summer after manager Carlo Ancelotti revealed that he has had “assurances” over his budget and ability to strengthen the playing squad.

And fresh reports from his native country, Italy, have suggested he could be in line to make a move for AS Roma winger Cengiz Under.

According to Corriere dello Sport, via Sport Witness, the Toffees are one of several teams taking a keen interest in the 23-year-old and that Marcel Brands is considering a move with him reportedly heading for the exit door regardless.

It’s also claimed that Serie A rivals Napoli are unwilling to pay the €35m (£32m) asking price, although it remains to be seen if the Merseysiders would.

But given they splashed £34m on Alex Iwobi last summer, that sort of fee for a player that has been dubbed the “Turkish Dybala” for his dribbling skills and ability to cut in certainly wouldn’t go amiss.

Ancelotti has plenty of areas to improve, one of which being out wide. Bernard, Theo Walcott and Iwobi have merely combined for just five goals and four assists between them all season which just isn’t productive enough when you’re aiming for European qualification.

Under has been restricted to just ten starts in the league this season but that hasn’t stopped him from nabbing three goals, just two less than all three of Everton’s current wing options.

He’s even still averaging 1.9 dribbles, 1.6 shots and 1.2 key passes per game despite being limited to 938 minutes on the pitch in all competitions; all stats via WhoScored.

His displays in recent months have led to glowing plaudits from former players, too.

Christian Vieri said: “I like Cengiz Under from Roma. He is a strong player but no one talks about him,” which led to Francesco Totti responding, claiming that the right-winger “has a strong physique with an indispensable and crafty character” before adding “Under is a complete football player. He will be much stronger if he can understand just a few things.”

Could Ancelotti raid his former league for one of their emerging talents? We’ll soon learn more with the transfer window on the horizon.