La Liga targets for Everton

Short peice on a few players Everton have been linked with, will inevitably be linked with or that I think we should go for. Surprisingly Steve Walsh is a better judge of player than me, naturally they are all based in La Liga.

Right back

Mario Gaspar - Villareal

26 years old, spent all of his career at Villareal. Good all round performer, easily good enough to challenge a prime Seamus Coleman. Played for Spain a few times. Probably needs to improve a bit going forward (probably why he isn't at Barcelona) but easily good enough to improve us, especially with Coleman's long term injury.

Scored this goal against England. Sign him up.

Centre halves

Matteo Mussachio - Villareal

Very good defender but always though he was on the small side so was surprised that we have been heavily linked with him. Stand's at just shy of 6ft tall, Koeman mentioned when he first joined that the club lacked physicality, so can't see this making a whole lot of sense.  Been linked a lot with big clubs throughout his career, he is still only mid twenties.

Played for Argentina… but Funes Mori has played more than him. Seems as though he is Milan bound.

Mauricio Lemos – Las Palmas

Looks a bit like Van Dijk, big frame, athletic, very good technical defender. Bit of David Luis about him. Genuinely has everything you could want for a centre half and he turned down Barcelona last summer. My only doubt with him is his body language. He seems too laid back and sometimes seems like he is about to fall asleep, can almost imagine a Yobo shoelaces moment with him already. Probably have to pay the best part of 20m for him.

Left back

Jonny Otto- Celta Vigo

From Celta, impressed against United in the Europa league. Right footed left back, very clever, maybe a bit small but great on the ball and good defender. Can't see this one coming off, though his versatility would be a big bonus.

The other option for a left back would be Jose Gaya from Valencia, but as he has stunk the place out this year and has probably been usurped by another left back from the youth team - Toni Lato. (Note- Valencia's youth team and left backs- Jordi Alba (now at Barça), replaced by Juan Bernat (now at Bayern), then Gaya, now Lato).

Midfield

All better than Cleverley and under 23.

Victor Camarasa- Alaves/Levante

Good back up for Schneiderlin. Big unit, technically good, can go forward or defend and works hard. Been on loan at a very good Alaves side this season that could still finish in the top 8. 12m euro release clause and Atletico Madrid sniffing around. He would fit in easily and was a player Roberto Martinez wanted for some time. West Ham have also been linked in the past.

Dani Ceballos - Betis

Unfortunately not much chance of this happening. 19 years old, one of the best players in La Liga already. If Atleti get their transfer ban overturned he will end up there. Seems certain to go on to become one of the top players in Europe, big snide and plays in a similar position to Barkley. Release clause of 15m, would love him at Everton.

Pablo Fornals - Malaga

Similar to Ceballos, but not made quite as many headlines, another top playmaker. Typical Spanish player, very good on the ball, good passer and very tidy. He has been compared to Isco quite a bit, primarily due to his position and the fact he plays for Malaga. Wouldn't surprise me if Koeman and Walsh were watching him and Javi Ontiveros as well as Sandro the other week. Arsenal are interested in him, again, standard 20m figure.

Forwards

All pass the 'better than Arouna Kone' test, but none particularly world beaters. Sandro has the most potential and could become world class, whilst Willian Jose is a very good forward that has a lot we don't have already.

Willian Jose – Real Sociedad

Brazilian forward, got a bit of Diego Costa in him but unfortunately not as much of the snide stuff that Costa brings. Good goal record, scored more headers than anyone else in the league and his technique is good enough to play further back, of even further wide. 28M is a whole lot of money for him though he is miles better than what we currently have as backup.

Florin Andone- Deportivo

Centre forward, good scoring record, runs loads (seems to be a theme with Koeman/Walsh), still loads of time to improve as well. He is quite quick, plays off the shoulder of the defenders and likes to kick people. Got double figures this year in his first season in La Liga, scored a ton of goals last season in the Segunda... as per this video

Sandro Ramirez

He was on a free transfer last Summer, failed to make the grade at Barcelona (albeit gave a good showing every time he played), scored a load in the second division but then the B team got relegated. Decided he didnt want to play third tier football and with Alcacer signing he wouldnt get a look in in the first team. So he decided not to renew, went to Malaga on a free, got confidence from a run of games and he has improved loads. Technically everything you would expect from someone who learnt his trade in La Masia, great free kick taker and works his arse off as well. Hopefully will be wrapped up soon. Here is a video of him playing against Barcelona's defence on his own... remember watching the game itself and his work rate was phenomenal (copywrite RM).

....one final thought... I went to watch Barcelona's B team a few weeks ago on a Sunday. A youngster there who is out of contract in the Summer- Marc Cucurella played. By all accounts Everton have offered him a contract. He seems a decent play, but third tier level in Spain is a completely different kettle of fish to the premier league.  In short- he was good on the ball, pretty quick and liked to get forward from left back. Everton want him as part of the first team squad by all accounts... so let's see.