Sky Sports: Everton want to sign int’L ace whose transfer is now ‘Very Likely’

Yukinari Suguwara, a defender for AZ Alkmaar, is reportedly “very likely” to be moving this summer, and Everton is interested in signing him.

On May 12, a journalist from Sky Sports Germany stated on Twitter that the 23-year-old is in high demand throughout Europe and that several teams have inquired about him. In addition to the Toffees, Brighton, Inter, and Wolfsburg are also interested in signing him.
With one year remaining on his contract at season’s end, Sugawara, a Japanese international, is expected to ask for around €6 million [£5.19 million] in order to leave the Eredivisie team.

This season, the Alkmaar “key player” has made 40 appearances overall, contributing seven assists and four goals across all competitions.

Sean Dyche after the new right-back for Everton

Whenever a transfer fee is brought up, it’s hard to avoid wondering if Goodison Park’s financial circumstances will make the club unable to complete such a deal.

Under normal circumstances, a Premier League club might consider Suguwara to be a bargain acquisition. Given his age, production, and affordability, this seems like a very sensible deal.

📍🆕 News Yukinari Sugawara | The 23 y/o right-back is one to watch in the next months as he could leave Alkmaar in summer!

➡️ Contract valid until 2025. Transfer in summer very likely

➡️ Price valuation: around €6m.

Many teams have inquired. Understand that he’s on the… pic.twitter.com/31FMg7iTS2

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) May 12, 2024

It’s unclear, though, what, if anything, can be spent in the market given the unresolved Everton takeover situation, Kevin Thelwell’s admission that sales will be necessary this summer, and the possibility of a third spending charge looming next season if nothing is done.

At the end of the week, 777 sent in more money, and even though the majority of that money will undoubtedly be used for operating expenses, a significant sale of a Jarrad Branthwaite or Amadou Onana could result in a small budget.

With Ben Godfrey more suited as a center-back, Nathan Patterson out of favour, and Ashley Young and Seamus Coleman already having reached the age of 73 combined, Sean Dyche has an uneasy situation at right-back.

Still, there may be more chance of success in West Ham’s pursuit of Ben Johnson on a free transfer when facing such a formidable opponent as Inter and even Premier League rival Brighton.