Why Everton must plot a summer swoop for Napoli’s Hirving Lozano
Everton scout Carlo Jacomuzzi has dropped a big hint over the club’s interest in Napoli winger Hirving Lozano, according to Area Napoli (h/t Daily Star).
Hirving Lozano, 24, joined Napoli in a £36m deal from Dutch club PSV Eindhoven in the summer, making him the Serie A club’s record signing. However, he has struggled to justify his price-tag in Italy, managing two goals and an assist in 16 league appearances for Napoli.
Everton’s director of football, Marcel Brands signed the Mexican for PSV Eindhoven, while Carlo Ancelotti worked with him at Napoli. Now, Carlo Jacomuzzi, Everton’s scout in Italy speaking to Area Napoli (h/t Daily Star), has hinted that the Merseyside club could make a move for the 24-year-old forward in the summer.
The Toffees have improved significantly since Carlo Ancelotti’s arrival in December. Under former manager Marco Silva, they were flirting with relegation. Ancelotti’s entrance has brought optimism within Everton, who are now challenging for European qualification.
One of the main reasons behind the club’s change in their fortunes is the improvement of the forwards. Richarlison has been used in the centre-forward position alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin and the duo has struck up an exciting partnership up front. Richarlison has netted 10 goals and Calvert-Lewin has scored 13 in the league.
Apart from Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin, Everton do have some exciting attacking players in Moise Kean, Alex Iwobi and Bernard. However, Kean has struggled in his debut season in English football following a summer switch from Juventus, while Iwobi and Bernard have not quite made the impact they would have wanted to this term.
While Kean must be given the time to adapt fully to the demands of Premier League football, Ancelotti must not ignore strengthening his forward department in the summer, especially after allowing Cenk Tosun to leave on loan to Crystal Palace in January. Hence, the Toffees must make a move for Hirving Lozano.
Lozano may have failed to live up to the lofty expectations of the Stadio San Paulo faithful, but one must not forget his goalscoring exploits with former clubs Pachuca and PSV Eindhoven. In four seasons with Pachuca, he netted 44 goals in 152 appearances. In his two-year spell at PSV, the 24-year-old scored 40 times in 79 appearances.
The Mexican also has a healthy record at the international stage, netting 10 goals in 39 appearances. Lozano was a part of Mexico’s World Cup squad in 2018 and started all four matches for his nation as they were eliminated by Brazil in the round of 16.
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The 24-year-old has scored 87 goals in his club career till date and the fact that he isn’t a natural centre-forward adds more value to his name. Due to Lozano’s flexibility to play in different positions across the front-line, Ancelotti could use him anywhere as per the game’s requirements.
Verdict
The Mexico international has the tools needed to succeed in the Premier League, thus, Everton must considering signing him from Napoli to bolster their attack next season.
