According to the Sun, Everton and Manchester United are set to go head to head in a transfer tug of war over AC Milan right-back Davide Calabria next summer.
The same report claims that the Red Devils have lined up the 22-year-old Italian as a potential replacement for Antonio Valencia who is set to depart the club at the end of the season.
Calabria has been one of Milan’s standout performers in the Serie A this season, with Gennaro Gattuso’s side very much in the race for a Champions League spot. The Italian has made a total of 21 appearances in the league and has impressed with his all-round performances.
A product of Milan’s youth system, Calabria made his senior first-team debut back in 2015 and has gradually gone on establish himself as the first-choice right-back for the Rossoneri. The former Italian youth international has made a total of 79 appearances in all competitions for the San Siro giants, accumulating 2 goals and 5 assists.
Calabria is fast, agile, offensive-minded full-back who likes to contribute to his team’s attacking moves by making intelligent overlapping runs. Blessed with a good technique, the Italian not only excels with his passing ability but he is equally adept at putting in quality crosses into the area. Defensively, he has earned plaudits for his tackling skills, game-reading ability and positional sense, whilst also showing good maturity in terms of decision-making.
Besides boasting of a pass accuracy percentage of 83, the 22-year-old has averaged 2.9 tackles, 2.3 clearances and 1.3 interceptions per game in the Serie A this term.
To put things into perspective, he would be an ideal signing for both United and Everton but the Toffees can bag a massive coup by getting their hands on the coveted full-back next summer.
Marco Silva’s free-flowing and aesthetic brand of football demands the full-backs to drive further up the pitch and Calabria, with his well-rounded defensive and attacking attributes, certainly fits the bill at Goodison Park.
The Toffees have endured a below-par campaign in the Premier League in their first season under Marco Silva and they need to reshape their squad ahead of the upcoming season. While Lucas Digne has dislodged Leighton Baines as Everton’s first-choice left-back, the right-back position continues to be a cause of concern for the manager.
Seamus Coleman’s performance levels have dipped significantly this term but Silva has been forced to continue with the Irishman due to lack of competition for places, with youngster Jonjoe Kenny being the only viable alternative.
Calabria, though not a stalwart at the highest level, should certainly increase competition for places in a backline that has struggled for consistency this term.
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Everton should aim to compete for a Europa League spot next season and the acquisition of Davide Calabria would certainly be a step in the right direction.