World Cup finalist linked with Everton doesn’t fit profile

The 2018 World Cup did a lot to boost the profile of Croatia centerhalf Domagoj Vida as his side made it to the Final only to lose to France 4-2. The defender, who scored once and picked up an assist during the tournament, was instrumental in the middle of backline and was in the side that beat England in the semi-final as well.

Everton had been heavily linked with the player well before the tournament, and soon after there were even rumours that Liverpool were interested in the player too, but Vida stayed with Besiktas in the Turkish Super Lig where he had moved during the 2018 January transfer window.

However, now Turkish outlet Fotomac (via SportWitness) are claiming that the Blues have rekindled their interest in the centrehalf and could return for him in the summer transfer window which opens in less than a month.

The defender hasn’t necessarily displayed any pedigree throughout his career, with his only stop of note being at Bayer Leverkusen where he lasted for one season between 2010-11. While he has 71 caps with Croatia, that can be attributed more to the dearth of central defenders in that nation (Dejan Lovren has 50 caps!) than anything else.

And then there’s Marcel Brands transfer policy of targeting players younger than 25, which would most certainly eliminate Vida who turns 30 today. Everton do need a veteran presence or two at centrehalf, but with rumours that Phil Jagielka will be extended for one season, the Blues should really be looking at either younger defenders who can develop into starting-calibre players in the Premier League, or else older defenders between 25-28 who have already proven themselves in at least one or two of the top five European leagues.

For now, these rumours sound more like bait being cast into the transfer ocean by the player’s agent than anything else.