Ronald Koeman has targeted a record-breaking move for Zenit Saint Petersburg midfielder Axel Witsel to kick-start his Everton reign.
The former Southampton manager completed his long anticipated switch to Goodison Park on Tuesday and is already said to be compiling a list of targets to improve a Blues squad that ended the 2015-16 season in a thoroughly disappointing 11th place.
Top of the 53-year-old’s agenda will be finding a new first-choice keeper to replace the outgoing Tim Howard and adding depth to a midfield still heavily reliant on the aging Gareth Barry.
And in an early statement of intent, The Guardian claims that the new Blues boss will look to £30 million-rated Belgian Axel Witsel as part of his overhaul of the Everton playing squad.
Currently away at Euro 2016 with his country, the powerful central midfielder is believed to be considering his future in Russia as he moves into the last year of his contract.
Premier League rivals Stoke City failed with an £18 million January bid for the 27-year-old and remain keen on the player, who is reportedly favours a move to England.
Zenit, however, are notoriously tough negotiators, with only a fee in the excess of the £28 million Everton paid for record signing Romelu Lukaku likely to tempt the Russian outfit into selling their prized asset. Witsel joined the Saint Petersburg-based club for a similar fee in 2012 and will look to recoup the majority of their outlay.
Koeman’s fellow countryman, Tim Krul, is also rumoured to be on the Barcelona legend’s shortlist.
Despite being injured for much of the campaign, the highly-rated Holland international stopper is still well thought of in the game and could be available at a knock-down price after the Magpies’ relegation to the Championship.
Southampton’s Fraser Forster and out-of-contract Marseille custodian Steve Mandanda are also thought to be under consideration.