Arkadiusz Milik (Getty Images)
According to Arena Napoli via Sport Witness (h/t Liverpool Echo), Everton are interested in Napoli striker Arkadiusz Milik.
The report suggests that Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti is keen to reunite with the Polish striker, after having coached him during his time at Napoli. It has not been the best of seasons for Everton, who are currently 12th in the league table after a disastrous start to their campaign last year.
Though Ancelotti’s arrival has stabilised them a little, the Toffees are yet to impress. Milik, on the other hand, has been a consistent performer for the Serie A side since his move from Dutch side Ajax in the summer of 2016.
Unlike his initial years with the side, Milik has established himself as a regular in the past two seasons and was exceptional last season.
He scored a whopping 20 goals from 47 games across all competitions last season and seems to be in good form this season too. He is currently Napoli’s top-scorer in the league with 9 to his credit.
Milik has so far found the back of the net 12 times in 20 games and looks well set to better his goal-scoring prowess from the last season. However, with the likes of forwards Richarlison, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Moise Kean already in the Toffees squad, it remains to be seen where Ancelotti would fit in his ex-protege.
Except for Kean, the other two have so far been Everton’s best performers this season. Calvert-Lewin has been a standout performer for the Toffees despite their poor show, netting 13 league goals until now. Richarlison, meanwhile, is close behind with 10 goals to his name.
The two together have scored the major share of Everton’s 37 league goals this season, thus raising questions regarding Ancelotti’s intent in roping the Napoli striker.
The Toffees also have Cenk Tosun and Oumar Niasse in the squad. With as many as five strikers already in their ranks, Ancelotti’s pursuit of Milik seems like an unnecessary one. Also, the fact that he would cost them around €45-50m makes it even more pointless.
Given the fact that Everton already have two in-form finishers and three other strikers in their squad, Milik’s pursuit seems like a totally unwanted one.
Also, considering his big-money price tag, he is just surplus to the team’s requirements at the moment. Hence, Ancelotti should keep that money with himself and rather spend it on areas that need real improvement.