Everton are seemingly eyeing a January swoop for Eintracht Frankfurt attacking midfielder Daichi Kamada...
What’s the latest?
As per journalist Pete O’Rourke, who was speaking to Football FanCast, the Toffees could be set to move in on the contract rebel whose £33k-per-week deal is set to expire this summer.
He said:
“It's a hard signing I think for Everton to do.
"The price tag will be pretty high and Frankfurt won’t be that keen to sell now they’re through to the knockout stages of the Champions League.
“But he’s a skilful player a real playmaker as well and somebody who would definitely be somebody who can maybe improve Everton in the midfield.”
Other Premier League clubs have also registered an interest, with Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United likely to fight for his services.
He can be Iwobi 2.0
One of Frank Lampard’s biggest success stories in his nine months in charge has been the revival of Alex Iwobi’s career.
Having been signed for a fee rising to £34m, he disappointed with his lack of attacking output from out wide, despite admitting: “For my national team, it's completely different and I do like playing in the midfield as a number 8 or number 10.”
Clearly taking heed of this, the new manager opted to play him through the middle and has since reaped the rewards to great effect.
The Nigerian international is a man reborn and has also upped his offensive numbers too despite also averaging 1.8 tackles and 1.1 clearances per game.
In this campaign alone he already boasts one goal and five assists in the league.
With Kamada, Lampard could be set to repeat this feat, by signing a tricky attacking midfielder who is also willing to work back and defend.
The 21-cap Japan international has started this season in an even more impressive fashion than the last, having already scored 12 goals and assisted four across all competitions including the Champions League.
He also played a vital role in his side’s Europe League triumph last season, with five goals across that campaign.
What makes him akin to Iwobi is the fact that he also ranks in the top 11% for tackles, meaning that perhaps the two could be worked into a system that allows them both to shine creatively, but relies on their relentless defensive work too.