Stoke City have enquired about James McCarthy

Take it for what it’s worth but the Daily Mail have reported that Stoke City have inquired as to the availability of James McCarthy. With so many midfielders being targeted by new manager Ronald Koeman it leaves the question open as to the future of McCarthy with Everton. Would the arrival of rumored targets Axel Witsel and Juan Mata spell the end of his time in Everton Blue?

His current value would be well above the £13 million Everton paid when he arrived from Wigan three years ago now. His value would also be increased by the five year contract he just signed this past season keeping him at Goodison Park until June of 2020.

While often slotted as a defensive midfielder his best performances with the Toffees clearly came when he was freer to play further forward and fully engage with the attack. Now the question is if he will even get a shot to audition for that role under Koeman.

This is still very early and his departure likely wouldn’t come until the business of bringing in other midfielders is solved first. That said, at 25 years of age he would return a nice sum for Everton to add to the transfer kitty.