Everton in race to sign “magic” £30m McAtee alternative -

Everton have already had a busy summer transfer window, bringing in their new centre-forward, Thierno Barry, who is essentially a direct replacement for Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

However, the Toffees aren’t done there when it comes to attacking signings, and are seemingly looking to sign an attacking midfielder, too.

Well, one man who they seem to show keen interest in is Manchester City academy graduate James McAtee. They are said to be keen to finalise a deal for the England under-21 captain. However, they will face competition from West Ham United, so a move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium is far from a guarantee.

Thus, Everton are seemingly in for another Premier League attacking midfielder, if a move for McAtee doesn’t materialise.

Everton’s McAtee alternative

It remains to be seen if the Toffees actually manage to sign McAtee this summer, with the race for the Citizens youngster certainly a close one. It seems that the Toffees are set to enter another transfer battle for their alternative signing to City’s attacking midfield.

According to a recent report from The Telegraph, David Moyes’ side have an ‘interest’ in signing Aston Villa academy graduate Jacob Ramsey this season. He has ‘previously been looked at’ by Everton who ‘retain’ their interest in the boyhood Villa fan.

They are not the only Club that want the 24-year-old. Ironically, they are also set to face competition from Moyes’ former side, West Ham, with Nottingham Forest another team who have made the attacker ‘a primary summer target’ ahead of a possible departure by Morgan Gibbs-White.

As for a price for Ramsey, Villa could demand as much as £30m.

Why Ramsey would be a good signing

At 24 years of age, Ramsey is now an experienced Premier League player. Despite struggling with injuries at times during his career, he has built up a fantastic reputation in the top flight that has led Statman Dave to describe him as a “magic” player.

The Birmingham-born Villa academy star impressed at times last season. He made 46 appearances in all competitions, scoring four goals and grabbing seven assists in that time. Six of those goal involvements came in the top flight.

If you think those numbers are impressive, then his stats from the 2022/23 campaign really stand out. In the top flight that season, Ramsey bagged six goals and assisted seven, playing 35 games in total. That included a winning goal against Southampton at Villa Park.

Interestingly, the attacking midfielder is noted as statistically and stylistically similar to former Toffees star Adoulaye Doucoure, among players in their position in the Premier League, as per FBref.

More on those stats later, but it is certainly intriguing to note that Moyes wants to sign a player of the same profile as Doucoure, who was so important to him at the start of his second stint in charge at the Club.

The Mali international was vital for the Toffees during his time at the Club, with 21 goals and 14 assists in 166 games in that famous Blue shirt.

His winning goal against Bournemouth back in 2023 on the final day of the season kept Everton in the Premier League.

His record under Moyes last season showed just what kind of an impact he had going forward. A box-crashing midfielder, the 32-year-old only played 16 Premier League games under the Scot, but managed three goals and two assists.

Looking at those aforementioned FBref stats from last term, the similarities are clear to see. Ramsey averaged 0.22 goals and assists, and 1.17 key passes per 90 minutes, compared to 0.18 goals and assists and 0.98 key passes each game for Doucoure.

Ramsey and Doucoure key stats compared
Stat (per 90)	Ramsey	Doucoure
Goals and assists	0.22	0.18
Key passes	1.17	0.98
Progressive passes	3.78	2.88
Goal-creating actions	0.44	0.11
Progressive carries	3.39	1.47
Tackles and interceptions	2.11	2.04
Stats from FBref

The likeness is apparent, with Ramsey averaging far higher in some stats, such as ball-carrying, adding an extra element to his appeal. Keeping such a profile in the squad could be vital for Moyes and the way he wants his side to play next term. He could become the new Doucoure for the Toffees.

As far as McAtee alternatives go, Ramsey could be the guy Everton bring to play on Bramley Moore Dock next term. Signing a Premier League proven star for just £30m could be one of the bargains of the summer.