RB Salzburg forward Sekou Koita may be incoming on a free transfer

I see we've been linked with a free transfer ex-RB Salzburg striker who scored 7 in 19 with 3 assists last season.

Presumably Calvert-Lewin's replacement?

Anybody know anything about Sekou Koita, who we are apparently close to signing?

Andrew.

He's very strong with a great left foot. 👍

Koita,

Dude played 19 games and had 8 goals. 660 minutes of playing time last season. The internet is pretty cool...

Here's my thing — why did he only play in 19 games? Was he injured? 8 in 19 is pretty good, but I'd sure like the kid to have been chosen to play more?!

I dunno. Someone who knows allay those fears I have of not enough minutes or appearances.

Andrew, is that the guy from Salzburg? I read about him last year.

At 20, he was an absolute superstar in Austria with the big German clubs bidding for him, then he got banned for an accidental doping violation -- airsickness medicine -- and then in his first game back he blew his knee to hell and was out for a year. Transfermarkt shows he was mostly a sub for the league winners this past season. Several injuries.

Jim #43, they pull in data from their network of scouts plus their registered users and the clubs themselves. Undoubtedly not perfect but certainly the most reliable source I've ever found.

Jamie,

Sekou Koita is a good striker but presumably only linked because he's free having ended his contract with Salzburg. Peaked in 2020-21 season with 14 in 17 — but then got injured in 2021-22 and never really hit those heights again (despite reasonable stats albeit in a weak league). He's only 5ft-8in but a good finisher.

Koita didn't play regularly because Salzburg have plenty of other options. Their main striker is Konate who is only 20 and they also have Simic, Nene and Ratkov.

But the main thing is he really isn't that good. That is why he's available to us. That's going to be the issue with pretty much any striker available to us.

Robert, Thank you.

Somewhere out there, there's a 20-year-old kid to be had on the cheap who will go on to bang in 15 to 20 goals four to five years from now for one of the Big Boys.

We need to find that kid! And it's not impossible. We've signed Stones, Branthwaite, Lukaku after a loan, etc. We can do it, and we really need to right now.

I'm gonna disagree somewhat with Robert here and say that Koita would be a really interesting signing.

Before his injury/doping scandal he managed 14 goals in 17 league games for Salzburg and looked a better player than Patson Daka, who many on here (including myself) were quite keen on.

He's struggled to regain form since then but is still rapid and has a great engine.

Not a world beater but would be quite a canny and low-risk addition I'd say who could add some pace to the front line and be a potential super-sub when games are stretched. Can't imagine his wage demands would be high despite being on a free transfer.

Sekou Koita is on a free from Red Bull Salzburg, he is a 24 old forward, played for Mali, some say he has already signed, some say take it with a pinch of salt.

He looks very good on Google although most of the action is from the Austrian League, hard working mostly left foot but very good in front of goal — he's had a few injuries!

Koita's goals record is very good, as are the new number of assists he gets. However, and it is a big 'however', as Dave Abrahams mentions above, his injury record is awful.

He's 24 and he missed most of 2022-23 with a cruciate injury. The following season he had thigh problems and abductor problems and missed quite a few games.

Goals record - 137 games, 51 goals with 28 assists. If he can stay fit, great, otherwise avoid.

Striker Sékou Koïta is reportedly joining Everton in a free transfer, having left Red Bull Salzburg this summer.

Never heard of him.

Jack,

Sounds a bit like Gbamin. Swerve.

Pat,

Get him on YouTube and he looks okay, very good in fact

But YouTube can do that, can't they, but getting him for free, if he comes, could be a decent signing.

Kofta Koita is 24, so probably a little older than we should be after, especially as he's still developing.

Let's hope he's not another Niasse.

John.

Kofta's a kebab mate. 🤣🤣🤣

Predictive text. Grrrrrr…

It's taking over the whale (whole) world.

Don't get me wrong, Sam — I think Koita would be a really interesting signing too.

But he's had a difficult few years and, having only really performed in Austria, hard to know how he compares to someone like Maupay.

One of those players who makes sense for free - with considerable upside if he finds a bit of form.

Just been reading up on Koita.

Seems we're looking to fill Dele's vacancy — in the treatment room.

Pat and Dave,

Yep, that news dropped yesterday. Koita seems to have a ton of natural talent -- at 20 he was the young sensation of the Austrian league with the German giants coming in for him.

But then he was banned for 3 months for using an illegal airsickness medicine, and on his return, he blew out his knee and was sidelined for a full year. His career has never recovered.

Might be Drenthe without the partying. Definitely a reach.

I'm a bit of a broken record but free transfers are less of a gamble and there are plenty of talented, out of contract players this summer.

I really hope Thelwell is on this. We're short on numbers, short on PSR wiggle room and the players are there for the signing if we are clever enough to get it right.

If we sign 5 players on frees, offer sensible wages and 2 of them turn out to be good players, or even saleable assets, we'll be up on the deal.

We need cover in the squad, we need options from the bench and we can't afford to spend much to buy it.

Never heard of him… get him signed!

Mike #20, sounds easy, but they have to want to play for a club that won't contend for a title or go to Europe. And what we'd consider "sensible wages" would be dismissed by a lot of these guys.

Maybe that's why Ndidi is reported to have declined our offer and is pondering one from Celtic.

Hermoso of Atletico would be spectacular for us, but he wants 80K a week and a chance to win something. So he's talking to Inter and Napoli and Villa and West Ham. I doubt he'd even pick up the phone for Thelwell.

So yeah, there's a long list of free transfers, but they're not necessarily 'there for the signing' no matter how clever Thelwell is.

Transfermarkt maintains a list of free agents in order of market value. Koita ranks about 40th on that list, right behind Davy Klaassen, and eight spots lower than... Dele Alli.

I get that, Mike, I understand that we're not going to sign our next star player on a free. I still think we could sign young, hungry, useful squad players who could appreciate in value through good coaching and the chance of Premier League game time.

Some of these guys have potential, but also the potential to drop off the map. A no nonsense manager like Dyche and the high profile platform of Everton would be perfect for some of them.

Mike # 23, if of interest the very, very clear transfer policy at Roma (under Friedkin) in the last couple of years is to work the free transfer market hard.

You are right — there is lots of talent available. Not mega-stars — but players who can bolster a small squad and, given there are lots in the 18 to 22 age group, develop over time.

Mike #23, I'm guessing that's Thelwell's exact intent with Koita, a young (24) former starlet with a derailed career. And I would guess that Koita is very, very hungry and expressed that in his conversations with Everton, else we wouldn't be signing him.

BTW, a bizarre twist in the saga of another potential signing, Philogene... according to Gerard Romero of TotalBarca, Philogene's agent showed up uninvited at the Barcelona offices, began doing a photo shoot in the car park and was eventually asked to leave by security.

Romero says Barca management has no idea who Philogene is and views the incident as a publicity stunt to drive up the player's price by faking Barca interest.

The media campaign to support the manc effort to unsettle Branthwaite, and the club, continue to heat up. Echoes of Stones to Man City? I hope we keep this lad as he's the future.

Don't know anything about the above mentioned player.

Mike (22) - are you saying Klaassen is available??

Robert (24),

Are you saying or suggesting that the Friedkins are behind these recent signings and potential signings? That would seem a bit strange to me as they haven't got control of the club yet.

What's very worrying is his injury record.

Abductor Pain 57 Days Out (2023)
Thigh problems 22 Days Out (2023)
Thigh Problems 22 Days Out (2022)
Ankle problems 39 days Out (2022)
Cruciate Ligament tear 319 Days Out (2021/2022)
Groin Problems 21 Days Out (2020)
Abductor Pain 82 Days Out (2020)
Injury to abdominal Muscles 39 Days Out (2019)
Muscle Injury 49 Days Out (2018)
Ligament Tear 56 Days Out (2018)

Colin #26

I think with John Stones we weren't going anywhere as a club to be honest, but with Branthwaite he knows we are getting taken over by a group thats professional and also have a stadium thats only a year away.

It's more of a new dawn now so hopefully his head won't get turned.

Dave # 28, no I'm just saying that this is a sensible approach used by other clubs with limited financial clout. Genoa were doing this under 777 too for what it's worth.

Free transfers
Loans
Sub £2 fees for u22 players
Sub £10m fees for over 22 year olds
Academies
Rich club reserves
Weak / low cost leagues (eg France, Portugal and Belgium - and more exotic still)
Scotland
Championship

Basically anything to avoid paying over the odds (fee and wages) for players - especially those who deteriorate in value with us.

We ain't signing this player. Just more nonsense.

Marc @30

Quite an extensive list. Hopefully our scouting team have done their homework too.

Maybe just offer him a short term contract and see how he gets on.

No good having him, even if he turns out to be brilliant unless we get him on the pitch regularly.

John@34

Yes agree mate, a lot of quite serious injuries before he is 24.
On his day he looks very good, As you say maybe we will offer a short term contract

Robert (32),

Yes, I agree it is a very sensible approach run by sensible clubs and those who run it. I think this approach has been used since Thelwell became in charge of overseeing the transfer deals.

I was just making a point that I don't think the Friedkins have anything to do with these present transfer deals.

His natural position is an attacking midfielder, has had his injuries but by all accounts a very solid player who has better stats than Cole Palmer and Ezre.

Injury a concern but for a free transfer certainly worth bringing in, will be a useful addition to the squad.

Could turn out to be one of our better signings, but until he is holding the Everton shirt up or pictured signing a contract, I will wait and see.

Will not be surprised if other clubs come in for the player and gazump us.

But for his injuries he would not be available on a free. Higher risk, lower price.

Marc @ 30, so does that come under Koita Interruptus then ? :-)

Derek (39) thats a great line matey-hope you are well?

Thanks Ray, the future's bright !

The future's Royal Blue ! 👍💙

Unfortunately no rumours AT ALL of Keane, Maupay or Holgate leaving…..

Think these are the last of the true remaining deadwood from the last 5-6 years of disastrous transfer activity. Holgate didn't cost much but I'm still amazed he was given a long contract extension on £70k a week - hence we can't shift him. Also amazed that he's been with use for 9(!) years.

Transfer windows open for a while still and hope springs eternal.

Please sign some new fullbacks….

Well Alan Myers just confirmed he was told there is nothing in it

Marc, what ? The centre of Polo Mint ? :-)

Alan Myers has said the Koita rumour has no legs. Usually pretty much on the money.

Never heard of him anyway to be fair. I'd look at Callum Wilson. He maybe old and injury-prone but he's a natural finisher and we haven't had one since Lukaku.

Si, if he leaves the Skunks, he's likely coming to the USA. Two MLS clubs are in for him.

Usual transfer window paper talk.Being associated with more players than in the telephone directory seems to be the norm for Everton.
Interesting though that the dialogue on TW threads towards looking for low cost players from other leagues at the right age and with potential to give a sell on value seems to be gaining ground.
May it continue.

Stu can you please explain to the younger posters on here what a telephone directory is.

With his injury record it depends on his wage demands, if they are low enough its maybe worth a shot.

Not seen one for years, Geoff, but we used to have a guy in our local pub who made a few bob tearing them in half!

Koita has signed for CSKA Moscow.

Why would anyone want to play in Moscow given what they are doing in Ukraine? I just don't get some people.

Christine,

Agreed but by the same token Saudi bombed the crap out of Yemen and that didn't seem to give pious individuals like Henderson pause for thought when money was offered.

Remember the old Mike Gatting apartheid cricket tour? Qatar World Cup, Argentina World Cup, heck the Russia World Cup and Olympics after two Chechen wars (massacres).

Seems as if money justifies just about anything in sport.