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da aposte e ganhe： Everton are in the race to sign Getafe central defender Djene Dakonam this summer, according to Spanish outlet Marca.
What’s the story?
The paper say that not only are the Toffees keen on signing the player, but Arsenal are too, potentially sparking a battle for his signature over the next couple of months.
With Getafe valuing the player highly, they won’t be budging from the €35m (£31.16m) release clause in his contract, states the report.
However, that kind of fee shouldn’t put off the recruitment team at Goodison Park considering it’s a position the club badly need to strengthen ahead of next season.
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Defensive overhaul
With iconic stalwart Phil Jagielka leaving the club at the end of last season and Kurt Zouma heading back to parent club Chelsea, Everton really need bodies in the door before the Premier League action kicks off again.
Michael Keane was a regular last season but with just Yerry Mina currently available alongside him, manager Marco Silva will be looking for a new first choice centre-back to partner the England international.
Dakonam has the experience to come in and do the job required having made 70 La Liga appearances over the last two seasons playing against some of the world’s most elite attackers.
The 28-year-old is in his prime years and having helped Getafe to a 5th placed finish in the league last season knows how to play consistently enough to help win a European qualification spot.
In the process, Getafe recorded the joint second-best defensive record in the division, with the Toffees target failing to start just four games.
That’s the kind of pedigree Everton need this summer and they should be doing the business required early to bring the player to Merseyside before Arsenal firm up their reported interest.