da gbg bet： This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…
da supremo： According to The Mirror, Mikel Arteta is a target for Everton as they eye up Marco Silva’s possible successor should he depart Goodison Park.
However, Moshiri and co will have to act quickly if they do indeed want to bring the former Toffee back to Merseyside.
What’s the word?
Marco Silva has proven to be a troubled figure in the dugout this season as mixed results have plagued their campaign.
A woeful 2-0 defeat against Norwich looks as though it could be the final nail in the coffin for the Portuguese as Everton now sit 16th, just four points above the drop zone.
A host of targets have reportedly been lined up but according to The Mirror, Mikel Arteta is one of them. The 37-year-old made 209 appearances as a player for Everton but he isn’t the only ex-Toffee on their radar.
David Moyes also appears to be in the running, alongside Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe.
Must act quickly
There is a degree of sense to Moshiri biding his time with a new manager – especially after the failed reigns of Sam Allardyce and now Silva.
However, if Everton want to land Arteta they’ll have to act incredibly quickly. This would go away from the tactic the Toffees board have seemingly put in place but it could be worth it.
After all, this is a coach that’s been given glowing reviews by two of the most successful managers to have graced the touchline.
Back in May 2018, Arsene Wenger had the following to say about the Spaniard: “He was a leader, has good passion for the game, knows the club and knows what is important at the club. Overall he has the qualities [to be a manager].”
Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola has also been full of praise for a man who is currently his assistant at Manchester City. He commented this week:
“But I think that the holding midfielder is an incredible lesson during your period as a football player. You don’t need to go to school. More than that he is an incredible human being and works a lot. I said after a few months together he would be a manager. He is already a manager – he behaves like a manager.”
Those comments say a lot about the type of man Arteta is, but with Arsenal lurking, it might not be easy to prise him away from City so soon.
The Gunners held talks with the former player before hiring Unai Emery last year while it’s been reported that they could be willing to re-enter the market for his services in the near future.
That could be a major stumbling block in any plans Everton have to bring him back to Merseyside. If Moshiri wants him, sacking Silva now and moving imminently for the Spaniard would be wise.
If Arsenal part ways with Emery, he may not be available for too much longer.
Meanwhile, check out how Everton fans responded to reports linking them with a return for David Moyes…