Everton goalkeeper Joao Virginia stuck in limbo as Sporting make decision
Everton goalkeeper Joao Virginia is now facing an uncertain future at Goodison Park.
The Toffees goalkeeper was on loan last season (2021-22) at Sporting. The Portuguese club were mulling all these days whether to sign permanently, but they have now made a decision on him.
According to a report from O Jogo (4 June, page 6), Sporting have decided not to take the option to sign the goalkeeper in the summer.
In the article, they wrote: “After giving up the signing of Joao Virginia, who was part of the squad in 2021/22 on loan from Everton, Sporting began to study several alternatives, finally deciding on Franco Israel.”
Uncertain future
Corrieo da Maha (19 May, page 14) reported last month that the Portuguese outfit had initially decided to secure his signing germanely following the end of his loan spell.
However, Record reported that (27 May), the Toffees were not happy regarding the lack of game time for their player. It seems, he will return to Goodison Park in the summer after Sporting refused to meet his £4.2million release clause.
The news must have come as a crushing blow for the 22-year-old as he now faces an uncertain future.
At Everton, he will struggle to replace Jordan Pickford from the starting line-up. Unless Pickford leaves the club, which looks highly unlikely, there is no chance he will become a regular at the Merseyside club.
At this stage of his career, regular games are necessary for his development. There’s no point warming the bench, be it at Everton or at Sporting or anywhere else.
In all probability, he will be asked to go out on loan again. It will be good for his career if he takes a step down and joins a Championship club in the summer.
Virginia is a very good goalkeeper but he finds himself in a terrible situation. If Everton do not see him as a player for the future, there’s no point really to keep him at the club.
In other Everton news, one Manchester City ace has already been touted for a major move to Goodison Park this summer
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