Are Everton about to target Morgan Schneiderlin?

Daniel Storey

New Everton manager Ronald Koeman is aiming to make Manchester United midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin his first signing, according to reports.

The Daily Mirror report that Schneiderlin is high on a list of Koeman’s transfer targets, with an offer of £20m imminent.

With Gareth Barry now 35, and James McCarthy struggling for form for long periods of next season, central midfield is probably the biggest priority for Koeman in the transfer window. Well, that and a back-up striker, wingers, a new goalkeeper and a central defender. Gulp.

Koeman obviously worked with Schneiderlin at Southampton before the midfielder was sold to Manchester United for £24m last summer. The manager made it clear that he did not want Schneiderlin to leave St Mary’s.

Schneiderlin’s first season at Old Trafford was not a complete success, often dropped by Louis van Gaal for the biggest games. Koeman is now hoping to take advantage of that.