Everton have confirmed the signing of Ajax skipper Davy Klaassen from Ajax.
The reported fee is £23.6m, with Ronald Koeman reportedly keen to bolster his midfield options with the lingering uncertainty regarding Ross Barkley’s contract situation; Barkley has one year remaining on his current contract at Goodison.
Klaassen offers Koeman unquestionable experience, with two years of captaincy at Ajax suggesting this is a player of great quality but who also possesses practiced leadership qualities.
The £23.6m swoop for Klaassen marked a day in which Everton’s outlay reached £55m for the current transfer window, the earlier signing of Jordan Pickford for £30m marking Koeman’s intent in this window and indicating Everton are set to be serious contenders come August.
Pickford completed his £30m switch from Sunderland earlier today
Klaassen said that meeting Koeman convinced him it was the right move.
“I spoke a few weeks ago with Ronald Koeman about Everton. I wanted to come here and check if this was the right club for me and since I came here I feel so happy. It’s a great club,” he said. “It’s difficult to leave Ajax but I think this is a good step for me now.”
Davy Klaasen, June 2017
Koeman was also delighted to add another of his prime targets to the squad so early in the transfer window.
“He is hard-working, likes to press and, of course, will give us more creativity and goals,” said the Everton manager.
Everton have also been in talks with AC Milan for striker M’Baye Niang, and Koeman is also very keen to explore the option of signing Burnley’s Michael Keane.
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