Ever since Ronald Koeman first mentioned that he would entertain any opportunity to re-sign Wayne Rooney this summer, speculation has been persistent over the potential return of the Manchester United captain and in recent days, the media and bookmakers have talked up the chances of the 31-year-old wearing a blue shirt for the second time in his career. However, while Rooney lining up at Goodison Park would tick a lot of boxes from a commercial perspective, Koeman should be focusing his attention on signing two full-backs who are going to complement the kind of team he is attempting to put together on Merseyside.
There is no betting value in backing Rooney to join Everton - he is as short as 1/20 with some bookmakers - but the opportunity is there to take advantage of some attractive betting odds when it comes to the defenders. Koeman deserves a lot of praise for pulling off the kind of coups which should take Everton closer to the top four, but it is difficult to see Everton maximising their progress unless they strengthen at left-back. Leighton Baines has been a mainstay in that position for a decade and there is no doubting that he adds a lot to the team with his contribution from set pieces, but he will be 33 in December and Everton need to identify an alternative.
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Logic would suggest that Hull City's Andrew Robertson should be on their radar. The Scottish international was unable to help keep the Tigers in the Premier League but his form over the past three years has left plenty of top-flight teams interested in his signature. Liverpool are currently regarded as the favourites but Robertson is priced anywhere between 5/1 and 14/1 to join Everton and that represents outstanding value. Liverpool can potentially offer the Champions League group stages but there is every chance that he would be left as second choice behind the versatile James Milner. At this stage of his career, first-team football is imperative and while Baines would probably get the nod at the start of the campaign, the Thursday-Sunday schedule of the Europa League is going to leave Robertson with plenty of opportunities to feature in each competition.
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On the opposite flank, Koeman has been left with Mason Holgate to deputise for the injured Seamus Coleman and while the England Under-21 international has done little wrong, he is not yet ready to play a full season at an ever-growing club and Koeman needs to spend money. There has been a suggestion that Cuco Martina - who worked with the Dutchman at Southampton - will be brought in on a free transfer and it would be an acquisition which makes sense, but the window of opportunity is there to sign Calum Chambers from Arsenal. Like with Robertson, the 22-year-old should be regarded as an attractive option to Koeman given his age, experience at a big club and the option of using him in more than one position. He has not always been rated that highly by English football fans but he has made 60 Premier League appearances over the past three seasons and he needs somewhere which will allow him to develop into a top player on the domestic, European and international stage. Goodison Park is that place and at 5/1, he is another who represents a lot of value.
With Romelu Lukaku seemingly on his way to Manchester United, there is every chance that Rooney will become a Toffee regardless of how Koeman shapes his transfer plans over the coming weeks, but he can still allocate his funds in such a way where two full-backs can still arrive with Rooney and there be funds left over to find competition for fellow summer signing Sandro Ramirez.
