Joshua Zirkzee could become teammates with Alex Iwobi as Everton are closing on a deal for the Bayern Munich teen.
With Dominic Calvert-Lewin currently sidelined with injury, talkSPORT understands Zirkzee’s move will initially be on loan with a view to a permanent transfer.
The 19-year-old actually came close to joining the Toffees in 2017, but ultimately headed to Germany.
Also Read: WAFU B Tourney: Golden Eaglets Pip Burkina Faso 1-0; Secure Final Ticket
“Everton was a serious option for me,” he revealed in an interview last year.
“Ronald Koeman was coach, Romelu Lukaku left for Manchester United that summer and I got the feeling from Everton that there was a good chance I could really become something there.
“They even offered me a contract whilst I was on trial.”
However, after training with the Bundesliga side, his mind was made up. “I want to become the striker at Bayern – that’s always been my objective,” he added.
And he made a name for himself with a goal scoring debut at the end of 2019.
Replacing Philippe Coutinho in stoppage time, the young striker scored the winner against Freiburg with virtually his first touch of the game.
He was on the bench for Bayern’s 3-0 Champions League away win against Chelsea last season and later started for the club when Lewandowski was injured in February.
“Joshua’s trained well and he’s showed in training that he’s got good quality and is a good finisher,” manager Hansi Flick said of his decision to play the youngster in Lewandowski’s absence.
“He can hold the ball up well and has the physicality to do so, which is important when things are tight up top. So that was our thinking, to make a like-for-like replacement [for Lewandowski]. It was good.”
