Sporting set to sign Everton goalkeeper Joao Virginia on permanent deal
Sporting Lisbon are all set to sign Everton goalkeeper Joao Virginia on a permanent deal at the end of the season.
According to a report from Corrieo da Maha (19 May, page 14), the Portuguese outfit have finally decided to secure his signing germanely following the end of his loan spell.
The club are ready to pay around £4.2 million to secure his signature.
No future
The news has come as a shock really.
The Portuguese press (04 May) have been reporting all this time they are reluctant to sign him as the goalkeeper didn’t play enough games to convince them.
However, it seems, Sporting have now decided to take a punt on him next summer, and Everton won’t mind at all.
The 22-year-old doesn’t seem to have a future at Merseyside, irrespective of where the Toffees finish, and it’s better for his career if he moves elsewhere and plays regularly.
It is almost impossible for him to replace Jordan Pickford from the starting line-up. Unless, Pickford leaves the club, there is no chance he will become a regular at the club.
The problem is, he didn’t get enough games at Sporting either. Will it be beneficial for his career to move there?
At best, he will get odd games and may have to wait for his chances. However, if Sporting have made this financial decision, it means they must have some plans for him.
The Toffees could look to send him on loan again to Championship clubs, if they fail to reach an agreement with the Portuguese giants.
In other Everton news, Ellis Simms’ future is “totally down to Everton” after successful Hearts loan spell
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