Report: Everton emerge as frontrunners for Real Madrid star Vasquez
Everton have emerged as the frontrunners in the race to sign Real Madrid winger Lucas Vasquez this summer, according to El Gol Digital.
Carlo Ancelotti is keen on bringing the Spain international to Goodison Park when his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu expires, with Vasquez unlikely to sign a contract extension in the Spanish capital.
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Real Betis, Manchester United and Leeds United are all said to be interested in the 29-year old, though Everton appear to have stolen a march.
Vasquez has proven his versatility for Real Madrid this season, having played both as a right-winger and as a right-back throughout the season [Transfermarkt].
El Gol Digital report that Vasquez’s versatility further appeals him to Ancelotti, who could see him as a viable replacement for Seamus Coleman.
The Toffees could be set to return to European football next season, and Vasquez’s signing would see the club bring proven European pedigree to their squad.
Not happening
Well, taking the specific details in this El Gol Digital report at face value, we can’t see it happening.
Ancelotti does need to bolster his squad with genuine calibre in the summer, especially if Everton are able to qualify for Europe, and Vasquez does possess a certain degree of European experience that could prove valuable to the Blues.
However, Everton are not going to sign a 29-year old right-winger to become their new right-back.
El Gol Digital also mention Ancelotti’s pre-existing relationship with Vasquez being one of the catalysts for Everton moving to the front of the queue, with the Italian having coached Vasquez during his time with Real Madrid.
In fact, Vasquez spent Ancelotti’s first season in Madrid playing for Real Madrid B, he was sold the following summer to Espanyol, and he would only return to the Bernabeu once Ancelotti had left the club.
Everton are in dire need of additional quality and numbers in their squad, but nothing about this story suggests to us that Ancelotti would pay the likely enormous wages to bring Vasquez to Goodison Park.
In other Everton news, France manager Didier Deschamps believes that Lucas Digne is often overlooked because he plays for Everton.