Everton will reportedly sign 23-year-old German midfielder Merlin Rohl from Bundesliga club SC Freiburg before the summer transfer window shuts down.
According to an update by reputed German journalist Florian Plettenberg, Merlin Rohl has been the subject of interest from Everton. The Toffees have been eager to reinforce their midfield unit heading into the final hours of the summer transfer window. So, the 23-year-old SC Freiburg prospect emerged as the top target for the Merseyside outfit.
The Bundesliga club and Everton have now finalised an agreement over a loan deal with a purchase obligation clause worth €25 million. Meanwhile, the official announcement should come soon, with Rohl undergoing his medical tests with the Premier League club.
Who is Merlin Rohl?
Merlin Rohl has established himself as one of the best young prospects in the Bundesliga since joining SC Freiburg from FC Ingolstadt 04 in August 2022. The Berlin spent his formative years in Germany and graduated from the youth division at FC Ingolstadt 04. However, he has risen in prominence during his spell with Freiburg.
The 23-year-old has come leaps and bounds in the last three years, becoming a mainstay in the middle of the park for SC Freiburg. Rohl has made over 50 appearances for the Bundesliga club while chipping in with three goals and six assists. Meanwhile, the youngster’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several well-known clubs, with Everton on the cusp of securing his services in a deadline-day deal.
Premier League move on the horizon
Several Premier League clubs have shown interest in Merlin Rohl this year, and Everton’s interest has been understandable. The Toffees have been combing the market for a midfielder in the summer transfer window due to Idrissa Gueye’s advancing age. So, having parted ways with Abdoulaye Doucoure as a free agent, David Moyes demanded a new midfielder for his squad.
Rohl thus emerged as a viable target, and Everton ramped up the talks to secure his services today. The Toffees now have an agreement with SC Freiburg over a season-long loan deal with a purchase obligation clause worth €25 million. The Berlin native is undergoing his medical tests ahead of a deadline-day move.
Meanwhile, the SC Freiburg prospect will be delighted with the fact that he is completing his long-desired move to the Premier League. It will be interesting to see if the 23-year-old German midfielder overcomes his recent fitness issues to become an asset for Everton in the 2025/26 season.