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The rumoured move for Idrissa Gueye to Paris St Germain simply isn’t going away even with the impending arrival of Leandro Paredes, and now a new twist has been thrown into the equation.
French media outlet Telefoot (via Get French Football News) are now saying that with Everton’s interest in Belgium international right back Thomas Meunier, there is the potential for a part-exchange deal that could be worked out.
The Blues have had inconsistent play from Seamus Coleman at rightback and Marco Silva doesn’t appear to trust Jonjoe Kenny to take over quite yet at the position. Meunier has proven himself at the highest stage of the game and would be an instant starter much like Lucas Digne has become on the opposite wing.
Everton are ready to move for #PSG right-back Thomas Meunier, Telefoot reports. Potential to be a part-ex deal with Gueye, but not certain.
— Robin Bairner (@RBairner) January 27, 2019
Late last season Meunier was linked with a move to the Blues for more playing time after struggling to get minutes under Unai Emery, and went on to name-check Everton as a potential destination for himself. Speaking with Belgian media outlet RTBF, Meunier said -
“I do not ask too much for now, what I want, I repeat, is just playing football, and if I have to go down a notch to be able to be on the pitch, I will do with pleasure.I still have two years of contract in Paris. My goal is to stay in Paris. I like it a lot. For the moment, it’s difficult to make forecasts.
“Down one notch, what does it mean to play in a sub-top club in the style of Everton, Valencia or Dortmund? Michy Batshuayi made a very good choice by going there. The pleasure is to play football and that’s what I miss for now.”
Everton have had a number of Belgians come through the doors at Finch Farm in recent years between Marouane Fellaini, Kevin Mirallas and Romelu Lukaku, and the connections continued with former manager Roberto Martinez taking on the national team job and the Blues linked with midfielder Axel Witsel.
At 27, Meunier is not exactly the prototypical Marcel Brands target, but still has some miles on his legs as he hasn’t been starting regularly at PSG. He has 20 appearances for the Fench side this season, scoring four times and picking up five assists; since his move to PSG in 2016 he has played 90 times for the French side with 11 goals and 18 assists. Internationally for Belgium, he has 36 senior caps, with six goals and twelve assists.
Meunier certainly represents an upgrade for the Blues at the rightback position and will offer more of an aerial challenge than the incumbent pair at the position. Everton seem already resigned to losing Gueye, with his limited skillset in the opposing half hampering the Toffees’ attacking endeavours.