Everton are looking to strengthen at right-back, centre-back, centre-midfield, on the wing and in attack this summer, having been linked with Bouna Sarr, Gabriel Magalhaes, John McGinn, Everton Soares and Odsonne Edouard respectively, but the Toffees are also in the market for a playmaker.
Jesse Lingard, James Rodriguez and Mario Gotze are said to be on Everton’s radar, but Philippe Coutinho is the latest name on the Blues’ wishlist, according to Sport via Sport Witness. Whether he would go to Goodison Park remains to be seen, however, given his past association with Liverpool.
Coutinho has spent the season on loan at Bayern Munich, having joined from Barcelona last summer. The 27-year-old has made 32 appearances in all competitions for the Bundesliga giants, scoring nine goals and making eight assists. He’ll return to the Camp Nou in the coming months but may have an uncertain future.
The Brazilian international has struggled for consistency at Barcelona and could be on the move this summer. Sport Witness say Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are keen to capitalise on the situation, but he’s ruled out joining United due to their rivalry with Liverpool. So surely a move to Everton would be unlikely too?
Coutinho made 201 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool between 2013 and 2018, so he’s highly-regarded among many supporters. Joining United or Everton would be seen as a major betrayal, so Carlo Ancelotti may have to turn his attention elsewhere.
Everton can’t be blamed for lacking ambition with their interest in James and Coutinho, but it remains to be seen if either player will come to Goodison.