Juventus Set to Ditch £11m Dud Zhegrova: Everton Sniffing Around?

Picture this: you've shelled out a small fortune on a flashy winger, hyped him up as the next big thing, and then he turns up looking like he's still figuring out which boot goes on which foot. That's Edon Zhegrova's story at Juventus this season, mate. The Kosovo international has been a proper letdown, and now the Old Lady's got the 'for sale' sign out.

From Lille Hype to Turin Headache

Signed from Lille last summer for around €14.3 million plus bonuses, Zhegrova arrived with a decent rep – 26 goals in 107 games for the French side, and a tidy 11 in 74 for Basel before that. Fans and the board were buzzing. But fast forward to now, and it's all gone pear-shaped.

Injuries didn't help – a groin niggle messed with his pre-season – but even when fit, he's barely scraped together 445 minutes across 20 appearances. That's an average of 22 minutes a pop, with just one start against Paphos in the Champions League. Zero goals, zero assists. Ouch.

He's got the tricks, sure – silky dribbles that scream street footballer. But tactical nous? Defensive work rate? Nah. It's like he's playing his own game while the team's chasing shadows.

Two Howlers That Stuck in the Craw

Remember that Juventus 2-1 Roma thriller? Zhegrova tries a cheeky dribble in his own half, loses the ball, and boom – Giallorossi goal. Costly, that one.

Then there's the 3-2 win over Galatasaray, where the lads were 3-0 up. Wide open net, and he skies it. Proper 'what was that?' moment. Alongside flops like Jonathan David and Lois Openda, he's the poster boy for Juve's wonky summer window.

The gaffer and suits are on the same page: he's not the future. Time to move him on before he becomes dead wood.

The Price Tag and Potential Buyers

Here's the rub – to avoid a financial bath, Juventus need €11.4 million back after one season. That's his amortised book value, roughly. His contract runs to 2030, with a hefty €4.6 million gross wage per year, so any suitor's signing up for the long haul.

Who's in the market? Not a queue yet. Everton have poked the waters with a tentative enquiry – Goodison could do with some flair on the flanks. Back in Ligue 1 or the Swiss Super League, where he shone, there might be takers too. Clubs know his pedigree, even if Turin's been a bust.

Juve won't flog him cheap. They're eyeing a clean break, no capital loss, and back into the black. Smart business in a window where every euro counts.

For Zhegrova, it's back to proving himself elsewhere. At 25, he's got time, but another false start could sting. Will he bounce to the Premier League or head home to familiar turf? Keep your eyes peeled – transfer season's heating up.

Fancy a pint on it? I'd say he's off before the window slams shut. What do you reckon, lads?