Everton will reportedly compete with several other clubs for AZ Alkmaar’s 23-year-old full-back Yukinari Sugawara in the summer transfer window.
According to reputed German journalist Florian Plettenberg, Yukinari Sugawara is the subject of interest from Everton. The Toffees are scouring the market for a right-back heading into the summer transfer window. The 23-year-old AZ Alkmaar full-back has thus emerged as a target for the Merseyside club.
Who is Yukinari Sugawara?
Yukinari Sugawara spent most of his formative years in his homeland before arriving in Europe in 2019. A graduate of the Nagoya Grampus youth division, the Asian full-back joined AZ Alkmaar on loan half a decade before completing a permanent move a year later. Since then, he has gone from strength to strength.
The 23-year-old has played his part in AZ Alkmaar taking the race for UEFA Europa League qualification down the wire. Sugawara has contributed to 12 goals thus far in 41 appearances across all competitions, finding the back of the net four times while providing eight assists.
Meanwhile, Sugawara’s progress at AZ Alkmaar has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several well-known clubs across Europe. Florian Plettenberg has claimed that the Japanese international is a target for Everton, Brighton & Hove Albion, Inter Milan, and VfL Wolfsburg. In addition, several clubs have submitted enquiries to secure his services.
Premier League move on the cards?
Everton’s interest in Yukinari Sugawara is understandable. Seamus Coleman has been an excellent performer from the right flank for the Merseyside club for over a decade. However, the Everton captain is in the twilight of his career. So, even though the Toffees have offered him a new contract, it behoves them to lay down a succession plan, especially with Nathan Patterson not having an ideal fitness record.
Sugawara has thus emerged as a viable target for Everton, with the 23-year-old potentially being a long-term right-back solution at Goodison Park. Meanwhile, the Japanese international will not cost a bomb, with AZ Alkmaar slapping a price tag of €6 million on him.
Sugawara is thus an affordable target for Everton, allowing the club to invest in other necessary areas amid interest in players like Melin Rohl and Justin Njinmah. However, Inter Milan might have the upper hand in the battle, considering they can offer him UEFA Champions League football.
