According to Sky Sports, Everton are on the verge of sealing the £12.5million signing of Stoke winger Marko Arnautovic. The Austrian international has a year left on his contract in the Potteries and it seems the Toffees have activated the release clause in his contract.
Arnautovic enjoyed the most productive campaign of his career last season, scoring 12 goals and producing six assists. The Austrian had previously been highly inconsistent for the Potters, but had shown flashes of his ability for the Staffordshire club.
Everton boss Ronald Koeman will know that signing the winger would represent a gamble for the Merseyside club, as he can blow hot and cold. However, if the Toffees boss can get the best out of the winger he could prove to be a bargain.
At 27-years-old he is just approaching his prime and if he can continue in the same vein as last season then he will be a big hit at Everton.
The Merseyside club have not yet spent big as expected, but a prospective fee of £12.5million would hardly dent the clubs reported summer transfer kitty £100million. Koeman is looking to add to every department of his squad as the Toffees bid to enjoy a strong campaign next season.
No doubt the majority of Stoke fans will be disappointed by Arnautovic’s departure. However, the Potters have moved quickly to sign another winger in the shape of Egyptian Ramadan Sobhi.
Everton fans seem to be divided by the potential arrival of Arnautovic on Merseyside. However, the mooted fee is not a massive one by modern standards and he could prove to be a shrewd buy for the Toffees.