Former Everton target submits transfer request

Now that the sale of Romelu Lukaku to Manchester United is complete, Everton and Ronald Koeman can work on patching the final few holes in their squad.

One of the needs that remains is an out and out wide player, and whaddya know, one of Koeman’s original targets from last season has appeared in the news again.

While there have been no firm links between Everton and Marko Arnautovic as of yet, he fits the mold of what the Blues are looking for. The Austrian can contribute goals from the wing (11 in 2015/16, 6 in 2016/17), and also has the ability to play through the middle of the park.

Arnautovic is already 28, though, and team speed is quickly becoming a problem at Goodison Park, which he would not do much to fix. Arnautovic is a better goalscorer than Kevin Mirallas, but has less pace, and neither player offers as much defensive responsibility as Aaron Lennon.

Last season, Everton were unwilling to sign Arnautovic on at £80,000 a week, and it seems unlikely that they’d consider that number (or higher) again given the winger is another year older.

Don’t be surprised, though, if the tabloids resurface this rumor in the coming days.