Why Everton must secure the signing of Lazio’s Adam Marusic

According to a report from Le10Sport (h/t Liverpool Echo), Everton have joined Paris Saint-Germain in the race to sign Lazio star Adam Marusic in the summer transfer window.

Marusic, 27, came through the ranks at Serbian outfit Vozdovac, he made 53 appearances for the club, bagging 7 goals and 2 assists. In 2014, the right-sided midfielder he joined Belgian club KV Kortrijk, for whom he turned out 74 times, contributing with 11 goals and 3 assists.

In 2016, he signed for KV Oostende where he spent just a year, during which he managed 5 goals and 6 assists in 40 matches. Having signed for Lazio in 2017, the 27-year-old has made 83 appearances so far, producing a return of 7 goals and 6 assists.

Everton need reinforcements on the right flank

Everton, meanwhile, have endured a difficult 2019/20 campaign. A lot of work needs to be done for them to perform better next season and push for a European spot. For that to happen, Everton need to strengthen their squad in multiple positions in the summer. The right-wing is one where they must surely bring in a new player.

At the moment, the Toffees just have Theo Walcott as the only player who is an out-and-out right-sided winger. The former Arsenal man has had a disappointing campaign, producing paltry returns of 1 goal and 3 assists in 25 matches so far.

While Alex Iwobi and Bernard can play on the right, they are much more effective from the left. In addition, Richarlison has shown that he is much better playing as a centre-forward. Hence, signing a new right-sided midfielder would serve Everton well going forward.

Having said that, Lazio’s Adam Marusic would be a good addition. The Montenegro international has had an injury-riddled 2019/20 campaign, restricting him to just 10 appearances, but he has still managed two goals. He was a regular for the Serie A outfit last season, finishing with two goals and an assist in 34 games.

A seasoned campaigner, the 27-year-old is also a regular for the Montenegrin national team, having made 27 international appearances.

Marusic, while being a right-sided midfielder, can also operate in the right-back slot. This would again help Everton as they will be losing Djibril Sidibe, with his loan deal expiring at the end of the season. This would leave them with just Seamus Coleman as the senior right-back in the squad.

Hence, signing Marusic, in essence, would help the Merseysiders add depth in two positions.

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Verdict

Everton are lacking depth on the right flank, while they will be stretched thin at right-back as well, with Sidibe’s loan deal expiring. Hence, signing Marusic would help them add depth to both the positions, essentially shooting two birds with one stone.