EVERTON are preparing for a sizeable shake-up this summer as they look set to appoint ex-Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez as their new manager.
The 61-year-old Spaniard has been out of work since leaving Chinese Super League side Dalian Professional in January.
And he now looks set to return to the Premier League with Everton, more than a decade after his six-year stint on Merseyside came to an end with Liverpool.
And Benitez’s arrival could see a number of new players follow him to Goodison Park.
One man who may well be on his way to the Toffees is striker Salomon Rondon who scored 12 goals under Benitez while on loan at Newcastle in their 2018-19 Premier League campaign and then linked up with him again in China.
Speaking after his time at Newcastle came to an end, Rondon said: “It was a beautiful year for me last season. I loved it because the supporters were behind me all the time.
“Was I disappointed to leave? Yes, because I was waiting for something. I was waiting for Rafa.
“So when Rafa said goodbye, I felt I would have to say goodbye as well. I understood in that moment I would not sign for Newcastle.”
Rondon could replace Everton’s current No9 Dominic Calvert-Lewin as he has been linked with a startling transfer to Real Madrid.
According to the Liverpool Echo, several other players are being linked with a move to Goodison if Benitez is appointed.
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They include Juventus and Turkey centre-back Merih Demiral who is reportedly seeking a move to secure more game time.
The 23-year-old international featured just 15 times for Juventus in Serie A last season.
And then the Echo also believe there is the potential acquisition of Netherlands wing-back Denzel Dumfries.
The PSV man, who is seen as a long-term replacement for Seamus Coleman, has impressed for his national team at Euro 2020 so far, offering a blistering attacking option on the right-hand side which has seen him score two goals.
Benitez could also be looking to bring in 31-year-old Brazilian keeper Neto to replace England No1 Jordan Pickford.
Neto is playing second fiddle to Marc-Andre ter Stegen at Barcelona and featured just seven times in LaLiga last season.
Meanwhile, Everton fans have voiced their disdain at the imminent appointment of Benitez, who guided Liverpool to Champions League glory back in 2005.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
