With Everton reportedly looking at the free agent market – as manager David Moyes has confirmed – then there is one name they should not ignore: Elseid Hysaj.
The full back is currently on the free agent list after leaving Lazio on June 30th and ‘ready for a fresh start’ report Tuttomercatoweb.
The Italian outlet covers the Albanian today and how he could soon be heading to Russia. The full back is, in fact, ready to restart his career in the Russian Premier League. He has received offers from Russian clubs that he is ‘seriously considering’.
Experienced option
They’re keen to secure the 32-year-old following his ‘long and distinguished’ career in Italy. That last of that experience came at Lazio, where he made 131 appearances over a five-year stay.
That followed spells at Empoli, where he managed 109 appearances, and Napoli, where he managed 223 appearances in all competitions. He’s also just one appearance short of 100 for the Albanian national team after making his debut 13 years ago aged just 19.
There is no mention of the specific teams in Russia who are interested in his signature. Just that he is seriously considering the offers on the table.
Everton need additions
With nothing signed, though, there’s still time for Everton to move if they want to. They still need additions at full-back despite the arrival of Ainsley Maitland-Niles on deadline day.
He may be the new hero at the Hill Dickinson Stadium after his debut goal against Manchester United, but he remains the only right-back in David Moyes squad. It’s the same situation at left-back with Vitaliy Mykolenko. He is the only left-back in the squad at this moment in time.
Hysaj, then, could be a smart addition. He can play in both positions, offers a wealthy of experience in Italy and Europe and is even captain of his country where he’s nearly a centurion too.
And at 32-years-old, he may be ready to step into the lesser role than a consistent starter. The fact he’s considering Russia would presumably make a Premier League offer enticing too.
Whether Everton and Moyes are interested, remains to be seen. And they may have to move quickly. But he’s an option to explore to solve a big problem in the squad on the cheap.
