Everton News

Opinion: Everton should take €3m gamble on 33 y/o next season

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Everton are interested in Jose Callejon and could bring him to Goodison Park at the end of the season, say Sky Sports. The 33-year-old is out of contract at the Stadio San Paolo this summer and could be available on a free transfer.

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Callejon joined Napoli from Real Madrid in 2013 and has gone on to make 336 appearances in all competitions, contributing 157 goals. The Spanish international has been a terrific servant for the Italian giants, but his seven-year association may be coming to an end.

Agent Manuel Garcia Quilon said that Napoli want to retain Callejon’s services, saying to Sevilla ABC: “Napoli president De Laurentiis has always wanted to renew his contract,” but he also admitted: “there is no agreement.”

Carlo Ancelotti managed the 33-year-old during his short-lived stint at Napoli and could be renewing acquaintances with him in the coming months. Callejon made 65 appearances under the Italian manager between 2018-2020, scoring five goals and making 22 assists.

He won’t cost Everton a penny in transfer fees but has a €3m-a-year/€57.6k-per-week (£2.76m-a-year/£53k-per-week) salary. While a cheap price to pay, it’s somewhat of a gamble as Callejon isn’t getting any younger and playing in the Premier League will be a challenge at his age, but his form in Serie A should give Everton hope.

As per Transfermarkt, the Spaniard scored 15 goals and made seven assists in 2013/14, 11 goals and five assists in 2014/15, seven goals and four assists in 2015/16, 14 goals and 12 assists in 2016/17, 10 goals and 11 assists in 2017/18, and three goals and 10 assists in 2018/19.

As per WhoScored, Callejon has had a hand in eight goals in 19 Serie A starts and four sub outings this term, making 54 chances, completed 87.9% of his 817 passes, made eight successful dribbles (31%), whipped in 145 crosses with 27.5% accuracy, made eight interceptions, nine tackles and had 27 shots with 37% accuracy.

For one season, he could be useful to Everton.

Read Crippy Cooke’s previous article

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Sports journalist who is an avid football fan, enjoys debunking transfer rumours, loves to write pieces about players out in the cold and takes a large amount of pride getting a predicted XI 100% correct.