Everton and Stoke tracking La Liga side’s sole shining light
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Two Premier League teams may be keeping an eye on the relegation battle in La Liga more than normal this season with Everton and Stoke City both reportedly keen on Las Palmas midfielder Roque Mesa.
The Gran Canaria-based club are currently scrapping for survival in the Spanish top tier, having lost five of their last six matches.
That though, is not down to lack of effort and talent from their central midfielder, Mesa, who has easily been their stand-out performer this term.
Spanish news outlet Fichajes are reporting that both of the aforementioned Premier League sides, along with Villarreal are keeping tabs on the 26-year-old.
They suggest that his stand-out performances in a struggling team have led to others taking notice, although with a contract until 2020 it would mean Los Amarillos would take some convincing to give their man up.
Nevertheless, with the player somewhat proving that he can cut it in the top tier of one of the best leagues in Europe, it’s unlikely he’d settle for a return to the Segunda Division.
The combative central midfielder, whose slick passing keeps things ticking over in the Las Palmas engine room wouldn’t necessarily break the bank despite his long contract, with Transfermarkt.com valuing him at just £1.5m.
He has been a near-ever present for his club this term, playing in 24 of their 25 league fixtures to date, but has been unable to lead them out of the relegation zone in their first season back in the top flight in 14 years.
Some of his team-mates will be able to tell him about the Premier League, one of which could give Mesa a head’s up on Merseyside should Everton be his suitor of choice, with former Liverpool man Nabil El Zhar and ex-Manchester City full-back Javier Garrido also at the club.
He will undoubtedly be more interested in keeping his current side in the Spanish top flight, but should they go down, either Roberto Martinez or Mark Hughes could be on to a bargain come the summer.
All odds and markets correct as of the date of publishing.
