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This article is part of Football FanCast’s In Numbers series, which takes a statistical look at performances, season-long form and reported transfer targets…
According to Calciomercato, Everton are interested in signing AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie, whilst Tottenham and Arsenal are also keeping tabs on him.
The Ivory Coast international has had a disrupted summer after competing at the Africa Cup of Nations with his country, where he helped the Elephants make the quarter-finals.
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It seems evident that Toffees boss Marco Silva is keen to sign another midfielder due to the interest in Kessie, along with the Merseysiders’ pursuit of another option for the middle of the park in Watford’s Abdoulaye Doucoure.
Everton have already had two bids rebuffed for the Frenchman’s services, the second of which was worth £36.7m after an opening offer of £30m was rejected.
One would assume that it is unlikely Everton will sign both seeing as they have already added Fabian Delph, Andre Gomes and Jean-Philippe Gbamin to the squad, so let’s take a look at who would be a better fit for the Toffees.
As you can see, the AC Milan No.79 had a much better season than Doucoure did last term.
Kessie scored more goals than Doucoure with seven to his name compared to the Watford No.16’s five, whilst he also completed more dribbles per game, and executed more successful key passes per game.
Aside from on-field performances, there are other reasons as to why Kessie would be a better signing for Everton than Doucoure.
The former Atalanta man is four years younger than the Hornets midfielder, who is 26 years of age.
Additionally, Watford have already rejected a £36.7m (€40m) bid from Everton, whereas that exact figure is what Milan are reportedly looking for from those interested in signing their Ivorian powerhouse.
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Watford are said to be ‘adamant’ that Doucoure is going nowhere, so Everton’s continued pursuit of him seems hopeful and might be a waste of time on the Toffees’ part.
It seems like an even bigger waste of time when there is a younger, cheaper option out there who actually enjoyed a better season than Doucoure in 2018/19 – Everton should definitely turn their attentions to Kessie.
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