Everton Informed of £17m Fee for Germany U21 Star Seen as Natural Successor to Abdoulaye Doucoure

 

Everton’s midfield is heading into a crucial transitional phase this summer, with long-serving stars Abdoulaye Doucoure and Orel Mangala set to depart at the expiration of their contracts. As a result, the Toffees are under pressure to reinforce their engine room with fresh, dynamic talent ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League season.

 

Manager David Moyes, who recently returned to Goodison Park to begin his second spell at the helm, is already moving quickly in the transfer market. High on his list of targets is Club Brugge’s Raphael Onyedika, following a standout season in Belgium. While a reported £25 million fee has been floated for the Nigerian midfielder, Everton face stiff competition from Moyes’ former side, West Ham United, who are also keen on the player.

 

However, another name gaining traction behind the scenes is Stuttgart’s versatile young midfielder Merlin Röhl, who has emerged as a serious target for the Merseyside club. The 22-year-old German has impressed scouts with his performances for the national Under-21 team at the ongoing European Championships, where he has played a vital role in helping Germany reach the final against England. That match, to be held at Slovakia’s national stadium, will be a showcase opportunity for Röhl’s growing talent on the continental stage.

 

According to respected German outlet BILD, Everton have now been formally informed that a bid of £17 million would be sufficient to prise Röhl away from Stuttgart. Interestingly, this isn’t the first time the Toffees have shown interest — it’s reported that the club made an unsuccessful approach for Röhl during the January transfer window, suggesting that David Moyes has long been convinced of the player’s potential.

 

One of the most compelling reasons behind Everton’s renewed pursuit of Röhl lies in his stylistic resemblance to Doucoure. According to FBref’s statistical comparisons, Röhl is among the most similar players in Europe’s top five leagues to the Malian international in terms of playing style. Much like Doucoure, Röhl is known for his physicality, tactical intelligence, and ability to operate across several midfield roles.

 

The German, who stands at a towering 6ft 3in, possesses a strong aerial presence — ranking in the top seven percent for aerial duels won per 90 minutes across Europe’s major leagues. His blend of size, athleticism, and technical proficiency allows him to function effectively as a box-to-box midfielder, a central playmaker (number 10), or even as a wide midfielder cutting inside.

 

Röhl’s versatility could be a huge asset for Moyes, especially as the manager looks to reintroduce a robust midfield identity reminiscent of his first tenure at the club. Some comparisons have even been drawn between Röhl and former Everton cult hero Marouane Fellaini, particularly if the German can add more goals to his game. The Belgian, who was a key figure under Moyes during his time at Goodison Park, was known for his late runs into the box and dominance in aerial battles — traits Röhl is beginning to mirror.

 

While negotiations have yet to officially begin, Everton now know exactly what it will take to secure Röhl’s services. With other clubs likely to take notice of his performances at the U21 Euros, the Toffees may have to act quickly to avoid being beaten to his signature. For a fee of £17 million, Röhl could represent excellent value in today’s inflated market — especially for a player who could seamlessly step into the role vacated by Doucoure.

 

This summer promises to be a pivotal one for Everton, and securing a rising star like Merlin Röhl could be the first step in building a midfield capable of powering the Toffees into a new era.