According to Foot Mercato, Everton are lining up FC Ural’s Petrus Boumal in case Idrissa Gueye leaves the club.

What's the word?

Everton may well undergo a massive squad overhaul this summer, especially if Sam Allardyce leaves the club. Idrissa Gueye has been one of the few consistent performers for the Toffees since he joined from Aston Villa in 2016, and there are fears he may attract interest from elsewhere.

The report from Foot Mercato claims Everton have lined up Petrus Boumal as a replacement, though there is also interest from Villarreal.

Boumal has impressed in Russia since his move from Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia, and is apparently high up on the shortlist of replacements if Gueye does leave.

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A shrewd signing?

Boumal would certainly not be a bad signing for Everton. Valued at £540,000 by Transfermarkt, the Blues would hope to get him relatively cheap and he still has plenty of room for improvement at just 24.

The Cameroonian plays a similar role for FC Ural as Gueye does for Everton, breaking up play in midfield and distributing the ball forward for more creative players. He is a good passer and loves to get stuck in, and averages a remarkable 6.2 successful long balls per game in the league this season.

Although Boumal is like for like with Gueye in terms of style and position, he is not like for like in terms of quality. This does not mean Boumal would be a bad signing, but a player who has never performed in one of Europe’s top leagues should not be relied upon as a direct replacement.

If Everton do get a bargain deal for Boumal, he must be as well as Gueye, not instead of him. If Gueye does leave, a more immediate star should be brought in alongside Boumal to take some responsibility off the 24-year-old.

Everton fans, would you like to see a cheap deal done for Boumal? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below…