Everton told to pay £26 million for Ajax midfielder Davy Klaassen

Premier League outfit Everton will have to pay £26 million to tempt Ajax into selling midfielder Davy Klaasen this summer, according to Dutch newspaper De Telegraf (via The Liverpool Echo).

The 24-year-old enjoyed an excellent season in the Netherlands last term, scoring 14 goals and laying on nine assists to help the club finish second in the Eredivisie, just a point behind champions Feyenoord.

And with two goals and an assist in their run to the Europa League final, where they lost to Manchester United, it was clear that the Dutch international played a vital role in Peter Bosz’s side, and has indeed earned some rave reviews and attracted interest as a result.

And one club reportedly interested in bringing him to England is Ronald Koeman’s Everton, but recent reports suggest that the Toffees will have to stump up £26 million to lure Klaasen away from the Johan Cruyff Arena.

The Merseyside outfit will be on the lookout for reinforcements in a bid to bridge the nine-point gap to the top six in the Premier League, and it’s clear that Klaasen fits the bill after a stunning campaign at Ajax.

Toffees boss Koeman reportedly went to see the 24-year-old in action on regular occasions last season, so clearly is interested in landing him this summer.

Yet, whether Everton do indeed match Ajax’s £26 million asking price very much remains to be seen, although you sense that if they want to sustain a challenge to the top six next term, it’s the sort of deal they need to get done this summer.