Everton set to scoop Klaassen ahead of United and Milan?

You’re going to have to credit Everton manager Ronald Koeman for his powers of persuasion if this one comes through.

Media sources are reporting that the Toffees are close to completing the signing of Dutch attacking midfielder Davy Klaassen despite the very close attentions of Manchester United and AC Milan.

Everton have been linked with several Ajax Amsterdam players throughout the season, with Ronald Koeman having scouted them in person as well. The current impasse with Ross Barkley aside, the Blues were likely to sign at least one of Gylfi Sigurdsson and Davy Klaassen, and it’s looking like the Ajax captain will be the one.

The Mirror are quoting Koeman as saying:

“It is difficult for a lot of technical and skilful players because the demands in England are so big.

"But Davy Klaassen has made very big steps.”

WhoScored.com

AC Milan have worked in a very determined fashion this summer window, already sealing the signatures of defenders (and one time Everton target) Matteo Musacchio, Ricardo Rodriguez and (also linked with the Blues once) Franck Kessie, and the Rossoneri are rumoured to be looking further up the field now.

Manchester United for their part are going big, picking up Victor Lindelof and targeting strikers Alvaro Morata and Andrea Belotti as well. With Juan Mata and Henrikh Mkhitaryan present, picking up Klaassen seemed wasteful but who knows with these things.

While Sigurdsson has proven himself in the Premier League, albeit on a team where he was the focus of the team’s attack, Klaassen has looked good in spots with Ajax but it’s unclear he will handle the rough and tumble of the English level.