Everton are searching for a new goalkeeper after the news that Tim Howard is set to return to Major League Soccer and join the Colorado Rapids.
While we offered five potential replacements earlier in the week, the Liverpool Echo are reporting that the Blues are going in a different direction and will target Ajax shot stopper, Jasper Cillessen.
They reported that Everton have sent scouts as recently as last weekend to watch the talented keeper in action.
Manchester United were reportedly lining up a move for Cillessen last summer as a replacement for David De Gea but that move was mooted as De Gea stayed with the Premier League giants.
The right direction for the Blues?
At 26, Cillessen can still be regarded as a young goalkeeper with a number of good years ahead of him but he already has experience of winning and brings with him big game experience.
He has already played in a World Cup, the Champions League on a regular basis and has won the Dutch Eredivisie three times. While Ajax are reportedly set to stamp a £10million price tag on the keeper, it could be a bargain for an Everton team looking for a commanding leader in behind the sticks.
Cillessen was Ajax’s player of the season last season, keeping 12 clean sheets in 32 games. He has already bettered that total this season, with 14 in 27 appearances.
It may be a difficult task to pry Cillessen away from Ajax and his native Holland, but the Toffees will hope that the lure of Premier League football and a new challenge will be enough.
Toffees other targets
Everton are reportedly still keeping tabs on Tom Heaton, a long time target of Roberto Martinez. The Burnley captain impressed in the Premier League last season and has continued his good form into this campaign.
No other targets have been reported at this time but as the Premier League draws to a close and Tim Howard moves on to pastures new, the speculation about his replacement will only continue to ramp up.