Arsenal are set to lose out on another attacker they’ve scouted in recent seasons, to their Premier League counterparts, Everton.

  • Everton offered £12m for Rachid Ghezzal last summer but he turned down a move
  • Ghezzal has scored just 2 goals this season
  • Arsene Wenger has been monitoring the player

Lyon forward Rachid Ghezzal, 24, is out of contract in the summer and according to reports, Ronald Koeman is attempting to convince him to join Everton this summer.

Ghezzal has scored two goals and created seven assists across all competitions so far this term. It’s not a fantastic tally but given the inconsistency in regular minutes, this shouldn’t be too much of a surprise.

Ghezzal in Europa League action this season
Besiktas’ Serbian defender Dusko Tosic (L) vies with Lyon’s French Algerian midfielder Rachid Ghezzal (R) during the UEFA Europa League first leg quarter final football match between Lyon (OL) and Besiktas on April 13, 2017, at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais stadium in Decines-Charpieu, central-eastern France. (Picture source: Jeff Pachoud / AFP / Getty Images)

Having only completed a full 90 on three occasions in Ligue 1 this term, it’s evident that the likes of Maxwell Cornet and winter acquisition Memphis Depay are being utilised more often as their long-term future is ultimately one with Lyon’s best interests in mind.

Ghezzal could’ve opted to leave last summer and a fee of around £12m was in the offing from Everton, but he said he wanted to join a better side back then.

Given the number of attack-minded players at Arsenal, it’d be a surprise to see them make an approach for Ghezzal despite scouting him – even if he is available on a free transfer this summer. He’d struggle for regular minutes at Arsenal in the same vein he has this term at Lyon.

Players such as Theo Walcott and Lucas Perez would have to leave before Ghezzal could see regular opportunities a possibility at the Emirates, given how spoilt for choice Wenger is when everyone’s available. That in itself is unlikely.

Even though they probably won’t be in European competition next term, Everton could be a feasible option for Ghezzal should he want to join England’s top tier.