Everton enter advance talks with Champions League club over defender – reports
Everton are in the market for a number of different players this summer.
Marcel Brands is understood to have the priority of central defence and a winger, but that hasn’t stopped him from looking for other positions to strengthen either.
Right-back could be one of those areas. Djibril Sidibe has left the club, but Jonjoe Kenny has since returned from his spell at Schalke.
With Seamus Coleman also still at Goodison Park, it seems strange that the Toffees could still be targeting another right-back.
That’s the case though. The Daily Mail has reported that Everton have entered advanced talks with Atletico Madrid over the signing of Santiago Arias.
According to the report, Carlo Ancelotti would like higher-class competition for Coleman, who has kept his spot quite easily in recent years.
It is suggested that although there is no indication over a possible fee, the Colombian is in line for a move from the Champions League club.
This would be a signal of intent, with the 28-year-old having played under Diego Simeone for a number of years.
Arias only made 14 appearances in La Liga, and a couple in the Champions League as he fell down the pecking order after the arrival of Kieran Trippier last summer.
The defender has World Cup experience with Colombia and would certainly be giving Coleman a real run for his money next season at Goodison Park.
In other Everton news, this Sky Sports journalist has detailed the Toffees interest in South American midfielder