Everton goalkeeper Joao Virginia set for 2021/22 loan move
Everton are set to send 21-year-old goalkeeper Joao Virginia out on loan for the 2021/22 campaign, according to the Liverpool Echo.
The Portuguese youth international made his Everton debut last season after replacing the injury-stricken Jordan Pickford during a Premier League defeat to Burnley in March this year.
He also started the FA Cup clash with Manchester City a week later but looks set for a spell away from Goodison Park after the arrival of Asmir Begovic this summer cemented his position as third-choice goalkeeper.
Virginia was not included in the squad for Saturday’s harrowing 4-0 friendly defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford, with the Blues set to sanction a short-term exit.
The Liverpool Echo’s report claims the shot-stopper is attracting interest from Championship clubs, as well as sides from overseas.
Time to grow
Virginia’s only previous loan move was an unsuccessful three-game spell at Reading during the 2019/20 season, with his time at the Berkshire club cut short after just five months and two Championship appearances.
He’s spent the past campaign sitting in the stands for the Everton senior side and playing for the under-23s, but he now seems set to try his hand at regular football again in a competitive league.
Goalkeepers tend to peak at a later age than their outfield counterparts, so Virginia is still pretty young and it wouldn’t do him too much harm to stay with the Blues side for another season, but Rafa Benitez is obviously keen for him to develop his skills on a regular basis.
19-year-old goalkeeper Harry Tyrer was named on the bench at Old Trafford on Saturday, and it looks like he will now be the club’s third-choice goalkeeper for the coming season unless Benitez demands more experienced cover.
In other Everton news, the Blues want to sign this 2020/21 European title winner who was at Real Madrid under Rafa Benitez.
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