Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrates after scoring for Fulham. (Getty Images)
According to a report from the Sky Sports, Everton are keen to sign Fulham star Aleksandar Mitrovic in the summer transfer window.
The Serbian, 24, who got relegated with Fulham, wants to play in the Premier League next season. He had been instrumental in the Cottagers’ promotion season under Slavisa Jokanovic, after joining on loan from Newcastle United for the second half of the 2017-18 season.
Mitrovic’s brilliant loan spell at Craven Cottage persuaded Fulham to make his loan deal permanent before the start of the 2018/19 campaign. And despite bagging 11 goals and three assists, he couldn’t help the Cottagers in the top-flight.
The centre-forward’s stance of playing in the top-flight is very encouraging for Everton, who are in dire need of a centre-forward next season.
Everton’s premium attackers weren’t exactly productive this season, with Cenk Tosun having struggled the most. Tosun just hasn’t managed to adapt to the Premier League since arriving from Besiktas in January 2018. He failed to add any productivity to the final third, scoring just three goals for the Toffees this season.
As a result, the Turkey international was often overlooked by Marco Silva. Richarlison was initially used as a no. 9 before Silva trusted young Dominic Calvert-Lewin up front. While Calvert-Lewin did very well in the second half of the campaign, it would be foolish on Silva’s part to expect the youngster to deliver the goods consistently in the 2019/20 campaign.
Thus, the addition of a new striker makes a lot of sense for the Toffees and Silva should definitely go for Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Mitrovic is a physically blessed forward that makes him so difficult to dispossess. He is excellent in his hold-up play and uses his brawn to outmuscle defenders in the air. The Serbian international can link-up with the attackers and while he doesn’t have the agility and pace to give the opposition a run for their money, he makes it up with his positional awareness in the box.
Strong and powerful, the former Newcastle United man is a potent finisher from inside the box with either foot, as well as head, despite being naturally right footed.
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In addition to his goalscoring, Mitrovic is known for his willingness and ability to drop into deeper or wider positions, and either link-up play with midfielders, or use his strength and technical ability to hold up the ball with his back to goal to provide assists for teammates.
Without any second thoughts, Mitrovic would be a top addition for Everton. The big Serbian will give the Toffees’ attack a focal point which they lacked throughout the 2018/19 campaign, whilst adding much-needed physicality to the side.