Everton plot bid for "extraordinary" £35k-p/w ace, Lamps can finally axe £75k-p/w flop - opinion

Everton manager Frank Lampard will have his first full transfer window to work his magic in this summer, and, if the Toffees manage to secure safety in the Premier League, it will present the 43-year-old with a great opportunity to rebuild his team ahead of next season – with the club now linked with an exciting midfield signing.

According to The Telegraph, Everton are interested in signing TSG 1899 Hoffenheim player Florian Grillitsch – who will be a free agent this summer.

The Toffees will have competition from other Premier League clubs to sign the Bundesliga midfielder, with Arsenal and Leeds United also interested in securing his signature ahead of next season.

The Everton boss will surely be hoping he can strengthen his midfield in the summer, with both Fabian Delph and Jean-Philippe Gbamin out of contract in June.

In terms of the defensive midfield role, Grillitsch could be a great upgrade on Gbamin, with the Austrian midfielder proving to be a force in the middle of the park for Hoffenheim.

Indeed, the £35k-per-week ace who Julian Nagelsmann dubbed “extraordinary” has been a key component for Sebastian Hoeness’ side over his 18 Bundesliga appearances this season, making an average of 1.6 interceptions, 2.1 tackles and two clearances per game, as well as winning the majority of his duels (60%) and being successful in the majority of his dribbles (63%).

And, should he manage to continue this level of form after a potential switch to Goodison Park, the signing of Grillitsch would certainly have a much bigger impact on the Everton team than the that of the £75k-per-week Gbamin – who will be let go this summer following his loan at CSKA Moscow, after only playing eight games since he joined the club in 2019.

Indeed,