Michael Ball urges Everton to sign Aurelio Buta
Everton have been urged by former defender Michael Ball to sign Royal Antwerp right-back Aurelio Buta this summer.
The Toffees are reportedly on the hunt to sign a right-back this summer, and with Denzel Dumfries joining Inter Milan, they’re yet to finalise on an alternative.
According to Calciomercato, they’re keen on signing the 24-year-old Portuguese defender, and Ball believes that right-back is a position they need to strengthen this summer.
Speaking to Transfer Tavern, he said, “It’s been a problem position for the club for a couple of seasons with Seamus, we’ve had players on loan, but Seamus has bounced back when he’s had his opportunity and he’s still the one to knock off the perch.
“If Buta’s the guy who they feel is right, it’s good competition for the right-back berth, which is much needed.”
Spot on
Ball is absolutely spot on about it being a position that needs strengthening in, and we’re surprised it’s taken us so long to sign someone there.
The later it gets in the window the more clubs will demand for players which will only lead to us overpaying for someone we would’ve got on the cheap a few weeks ago.
Coleman’s ageing and while he’s expected to be our first-choice right-back this season, he needs replacing soon.
Jonjoe Kenny is decent but is not the kind of player who can step into his shoes and take over the responsibilities.
Buta, despite not playing in one of the big European leagues, has the quality to soon be a genuine contender for a starting berth at the club.
The 24-year-old is understood to be valued between £2.5million and £3.5million by Antwerp which is an absolute steal.
Even it doesn’t work out, signing someone for a pittance will not upset many in the boardroom, and given how we’ve been signing players this summer, he would be someone they could look to prioritise from now until the end of the window.
In other Everton news, ‘Fantastic’ Toffees player set to seal Goodison loan exit by Saturday – reports
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