Everton could well be plotting a move to bolster their midfield ranks in the near future, with very recent reports suggesting that Hoffenheim FC star, Dennis Geiger, is one of those currently on the club’s watch list.

Despite having overseen a vast midfield overhaul in the summer, with Idrissa Gana Gueye, James Garner and Amadou Onana all joining the Merseyside club. However, it seems Frank Lampard is not quite satisfied as his side sits precariously above the relegation zone.

As per Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenburg, the Toffees have now identified Geiger as the final piece in their midfield puzzle and are noted as “highly interested” in taking advantage of his dwindling contract.

The German machine has just seven months remaining on his £25k-per-week deal, and the thought is that the tough-tackling 24-year-old could be the man to replace Gueye and thrive as part of a double pivot with the aforementioned Belgian.

Benfica are the main club set to rival them for his signature, but talks remain ongoing with all interested parties.

The 5 foot 7 maestro has been outlining his talents across his homeland for some time now, and despite his career still being so young, he has already featured 106 times for his boyhood club.

His diminutive frame would pair nicely with the 6 foot 3 presence Onana brings, as well as his defensive output.

Geiger has earned a reputation for boasting a fine well-rounded skillset, outlined in his 1.6 key passes and 1.6 tackles per game. His physicality is also commended by former teammate Sandro Wagner, who notes how he is “extremely ripped” and a “good boy”, who is “all the more cheeky on the pitch”.

There is not one particular asset with which he truly excels, but in the same vein few areas of his game let him down. This would mark an upgrade on Gueye, who although is sensational defensively, offers comparatively little going forward.

The Senegalese star this season is yet to score or assist, and offers just 0.2 key passes per game. This downside is only rectified due to his 2.5 tackles and 2.0 interceptions per game, via Sofascore.

This is often more than made up for by the defensive work that Onana gets through, as he has offered 2.6 tackles and 1.4 clearances a game.

Meanwhile, Geiger already has four goal contributions so far this season from a similar position on the pitch.

These two could provide a solid midfield foundation upon which the whole team could rely for years, supplemented and challenged by the youth of Garner.

Whilst they will face fierce competition from a European heavyweight for his signature, Lampard must do all he can to welcome Geiger to Goodison Park.