This article is part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict‘ series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Everton have set their sights on Burnley defender Ben Mee, as per a report from The Mirror.

The report states that Aston Villa are also in the running for the 32-year-old, with the experienced defender seeing his contract with the Clarets expire this month.

Mee has over 200 Premier League appearances to his name, adding 21 more to his tally during the 2021-22 campaign.

Everton will be hoping to push on and avoid a similar season to the one that has just played out, with Mee a player would bring defensive intelligence as well as his experience.

Three of our writers here at FLW have shared their thoughts regarding Everton's interest in the 32-year-old...

 

 

Ben Wignall 

Ben Mee has proven over a number of years that he is a really solid Premier League centre-back, and perhaps if he was fit for the final few months of the 2021-22 season, Burnley would have stayed in the Premier League.

You cannot blame him for turning down a new deal at Turf Moor and wanting to have one last shot at the top flight, although he may not be a regular starter at some of the club linked - Everton included.

With Everton wanting James Tarkowski as well, there's a real chance that their partnership could be re-kindled at Goodison Park, and there's an argument to be had that Mee makes the players he plays alongside look better thanks to the selfless work he does.

In terms of Everton's options, even if they add Tarkowski as well they have Ben Godfrey, Mason Holgate, Michael Keane, Yerry Mina and Jarrad Branthwaite - which is a lot of players for two slots.

If a couple of those are sold or loaned out - Mina and Holgate in particular - then Mee could be a good option, but I think there are clubs in the Premier League who he has more chance of playing for, so he should head elsewhere.

Charlie Gregory 

Anyone who has seen Ben Mee play during his time with Burnley in the Premier League will know he can be a solid option to most back lines.

He’s certainly at home in the top flight, so a drop down to the second division seems out of the question.

Considering how cheap a deal could be for the player too now they’re in the Championship, it does seem a no-brainer.

Everton are a side that struggled last season so could certainly do with some extra options at the back.

That could also allow him to continue playing at the top level - so it’s win-win for everyone apart from the Clarets.

Declan Harte 

Ben Mee previously had a brilliant partnership with Michael Keane, which could be re-united at Everton next season.

However, at 32 years old, this is the kind of signing that Everton should really be looking to avoid.

Mee will take decent wages, have no resale value and could even be past his best.

It wasn’t a vintage campaign for the defender as Burnley suffered relegation, and their interest in the centre-back raises even further questions over the Toffees’ financial stability going into the summer window.