The Everton midfielder Muhamed Besic will miss the first six months of the new Premier League season after sustaining a knee injury during Wayne Rooney’s testimonial.
The Bosnia international was injured only 12 minutes into his appearance against Manchester United on Wednesday. Following scans on the knee, the 23-year-old tweeted on Friday: “6 months out! devastated”. Besic will be sidelined until February and his latest injury absence represents a major setback to hopes of establishing himself in the plans of the club’s new manager, Ronald Koeman.
The 23-year-old has struggled to get an extended run at Everton due to a series of injuries. He sustained a hamstring injury in his first Premier League appearance of last season that resulted in a three-month lay-off and missed another two months with a repeat injury in January.
Meanwhile, Koeman is expected to step up his interest in the Swansea City captain, Ashley Williams, after an initial bid of £10m was rejected. “We’re working hard to bring in good players,” the Everton manager said after Rooney’s testimonial on Wednesday.
“It’s not respectful to talk about players who are not players of Everton, but we hope to bring some new players in as soon as possible.”
Everton played the goalless draw against Manchester United with a three-man central defence of the 19-year-old Mason Holgate, John Stones and Ramiro Funes Mori.
Koeman has signed only the midfielder Idrissa Gueye, for £7.1m from Aston Villa, and the goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg this summer. Despite interest in Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea, the Dutch coach considers the Belgium international part of his plans for the new season and Everton have yet to receive an official approach for the striker from Stamford Bridge.