Everton have reportedly lodged a concrete offer for PSV winger Esmir Bajraktarevic after a commanding performance that showcased two goals and three assists. The 21-year-old’s pace, finishing and ball retention offer a potential solution to Everton’s creative issues on the flank, but World Cup exposure and the step up from the Eredivisie could push his price and test his readiness for the Premier League.
Everton target Esmir Bajraktarevic after PSV masterclass
Everton are said to have submitted a firm bid for Esmir Bajraktarevic, the PSV Eindhoven winger who turned heads with a six-goal rout that included a two-goal, three-assist showing. The capture would mark a clear push by the club to add young, direct wide talent ahead of next season.
Why Everton want him
Bajraktarevic offers pace, decisive end-product and tidy possession habits — a blend Everton have struggled to consistently extract from their wide players. His ability to both score and create in the same game addresses a pressing need for goals from the flanks without forcing reliance on the central attackers.
Player profile and background
Born in Appleton, Wisconsin, on March 10, 2005, Bajraktarevic progressed through MLS academies before moving to Europe in January last year. Now capped by Bosnia and Herzegovina after switching allegiance from the USA, he has accumulated nearly 40 appearances for PSV and scored seven goals this season. He also made a Champions League appearance as a substitute in a high-profile fixture at Arsenal.
Statistical snapshot — strengths and limits
His current numbers tell a mixed but promising story: 0.22 goals and 0.22 assists per 90 minutes place him among productive wide attackers by output, while 0.5 shots on target per 90 would see him creep into the top tier in big leagues. He averages relatively few ball losses — a sign of composure — and attempts a modest number of dribbles, suggesting he prefers efficient movement over high-volume take-ons.
Conversely, his total distance covered and progressive involvement per 90 are lower than many Premier League wide players, indicating a potential intensity and stamina gap to bridge. He also attempts fewer passes than some counterparts, which can limit his influence in possession-heavy systems.
How he compares to Everton’s current options
Comparative metrics place Bajraktarevic as stylistically closer to players like Wilfried Gnonto than to the more metronomic Dwight McNeil. In raw attacking output he could outscore or complement Iliman Ndiaye in certain metrics, but he is not an outright like-for-like for any single incumbent — more a promising hybrid: direct, efficient and goals-minded. That profile fits a team seeking fresh attacking impetus rather than a finished Premier League product.
What this signing would mean for Everton
If Everton complete the move, it signals continued willingness to recruit young, developmental talent with immediate upside. For a club balancing short-term survival with longer-term rebuild, Bajraktarevic represents a lower-risk, higher-reward profile than an established star — provided the club backs him with a suitable integration plan.
The transfer would also test Everton’s scouting and coaching: getting the best from a technically accomplished Eredivisie attacker requires tailored physical preparation and a clear role that encourages his finishing and link-up play.
Risks and next steps
Key caveats include the step-up in physicality and tempo from the Eredivisie to the Premier League, and the potential for his transfer fee to rise if he shines at a major tournament. Everton must assess whether he can contribute immediately or will be a developmental project. Competition from other clubs could escalate the price, and any move will hinge on medicals, wage structure and tactical fit.
Bottom line
Esmir Bajraktarevic is an intriguing target for Everton: young, productive and relatively polished in possession and finishing. He would address a clear creative and goal-scoring shortfall on the wing, but Everton must be pragmatic about the adaptation timeline.
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Done right, this could be a shrewd investment; done hastily, it risks adding depth without guaranteed Premier League impact.
Liverpool Echo
