Everton Opinion: Why the Toffees should go all out to sign Thiago Mendes?

According to a report from the Daily Star, Everton want to bring in Lille star Thiago Mendes should Idrissa Gueye leave Goodison Park for Paris Saint-Germain this summer.

Thiago Mendes arrived at Lille from Sao Paulo in 2017 and has made 57 appearances for the club. He has been a regular for the Ligue 1 outfit this season, helping the club tick with his all-round displays in the middle of the park.

The report claims Chelsea are also interested in the Brazilian, who is rated at around €30m by the French club. But Everton remain favourites to sign Mendes and Marco Silva should do everything possible to sign him when the transfer window re-opens.

Everton had allegedly lined up Mendes as a replacement for Idrissa Gueye, who was close to joining PSG in the January transfer window. But Gueye stayed and a move didn’t materialise for Mendes. However, Gueye’s advisor, Thierno Seydi, claimed earlier this month that a lot of big clubs will be interested in the Senegalese this summer.

It’s clear Gueye is set to leave Everton for a bigger club at the end of the season, as he nears 30. That said, the Merseysiders should not think twice in signing Mendes to replace him ahead of the 2019/20 campaign.

Mendes, 27, has impressed for Lille since arriving from Sao Paulo in his native Brazil back in 2017, showing his energy, passing range and tackling ability. He has played such a crucial role for Lille’s rise this term, as Christophe Galtier’s side look set to return to the Champions League.

The 27-year-old Brazilian is more of a defensive-minded midfielder, known for his tackling traits, ball-winning skills and high work rate. He can keep hold of the ball in the middle of the park and deliver the key passes to launch attacks. Mendes is a very shrewd passer of the ball and reads the game very well, whilst being an expert set-piece taker.

If Everton manages to sign Mendes, he’ll add more protection to the back four and will allow the likes of Gylfi Sigurdsson and Bernard to express themselves freely. He can be a fantastic partner for someone like Andre Gomes in the middle of the park if the Toffees manage to sign the latter as well in the summer transfer window.

Verdict

At 27, Mendes has entered the prime years of his career. He has already been a consistent performer in Ligue 1 and under the guidance of Marco Silva, the Brazilian can certainly take his game to the next level.

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Hence, at €30m, Mendes would represent a massive coup for the Merseysiders.