Why Everton must make a move for Marseille right-back Bouna Sarr
According to the Daily Mirror, (h/t Liverpool Echo), Everton are interested in signing Marseille right-back Bouna Sarr, but face competition from Sevilla.
Bouna Sarr, 28, joined Marseille from FC Metz in 2015 and has gone on to make 179 appearances in all competitions, scoring eight goals and making 11 assists. He is a regular at Marseille, making 32 appearances so far this season.
The report (h/t Liverpool Echo) adds Marseille have put a €10million price-tag on the 28-year-old’s head. That being said, Everton must beat Sevilla to Sarr’s signature this summer.
The Toffees lost just once in 11 league games before they faced defeat at the hands of Arsenal. Since then, they have failed to muster a win and are currently 12th in the league table. Before the suspension of the Premier League season due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Merseysiders suffered an embarrassing 4-0 loss at the hands of Chelsea.
Carlo Ancelotti should be able to take Everton to a higher position at the end of the season since they have a good squad and would hope to qualify for the Europa League. However, the Italian tactician will need a full-strength team to get off to a good start in the new campaign and to do that, he must make some changes to the squad.
The Toffees have struggled defensively, conceding 46 goals already so far. They don’t have enough defensive back up in their ranks. None of Yerry Mina, Mason Holgate or Michael Keane has delivered consistent performances and thus, Carlo Ancelotti should prioritize strengthening the backline with proper reinforcements.
In addition to a central defender, the Everton boss should also look to sign a new right-back. The Merseyside outfit signed Djibril Sidibe on a season-long loan before the start of the season. They have the option to buy Sidibe at the end of the season for £12.7m and the right-back has to wait for the club to make a decision. (h/t The Liverpool Echo)
Jonjoe Kenny is set to return to Goodison Park following a successful loan spell at Schalke 04, but it remains to be seen if the 23-year-old will be in Ancelotti’s first-team plans next season. Seamus Coleman will turn 32 in October and has had injury problems over the last few years.
With Coleman ageing and Sidibe enduring a poor second half of the season, it would be wise of the club to sign Bouna Sarr to add depth to a key area of the pitch.
Essentially a right-back, Sarr is extremely comfortable operating as a right wing-back or in an advanced role down that flank. He has played in various positions this season on the right-hand side of the pitch, whilst also operating at left-back once. Versatility is one of his strengths and that should make the 28-year-old a handy acquisition for Ancelotti.
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Sarr is an experienced player having played 166 Ligue 1 games, supplying with six goals and 13 assists. The right-back could be a valuable asset for the team if he is able to reproduce his current form for the Toffees, who have struggled to maintain a strict backline.
Verdict
Everton need to bring in reinforcements to their backline as they have limited options at right-back and Sarr could provide them with depth and quality in the squad. Therefore, the Toffees should sign the Marseille star.
