Everton links to Jordan Veretout denied as AC Milan close in on deal
Everton appear unlikely to sign Roma midfielder Jordan Veretout after talks were held over a move to another Italian club, according to Calcio Mercato.
The 29-year-old is no longer needed at the Olympic Stadium in Rome as Jose Mourinho is prepared to listen to offers for the former French international.
But while Everton have had their interest in Veretout denied by the Serie A club, talks are ongoing between Roma and Italian champions AC Milan over a switch to the Rossoneri.
Despite talks progressing between the two Serie A giants, any finalisation of a move will depend on whether Milan can persuade Renato Sanches away from Lille and to the San Siro.
If the Portuguese midfielder does make the move to Italy, then the Toffees could maintain a foothold in the race but it looks unlikely at the moment.
Avoid
This could be our blessing in disguise in reality because we have already seen that Veretout can’t hack it in the Premier League.
He spent two seasons at Aston Villa between 2015 and 2017 and the impact he made in the Midlands was effectively zero despite some excitement when his signing was announced.
Even if he becomes available to us should Milan poach Sanches from Lille, we need to stay away from making such a signing because he will go the same way as all of our other purchases from recent seasons.
Much like Andre Gomes, he will show very brief signs of quality before regressing into a player who passes sideways and backwards but nothing more and making very little effect on the game.
Frank Lampard knows that we can do better than Veretout so let’s hope he isn’t dragged into making an approach for the Frenchman anytime soon and he instead tries to find genuinely talented individuals who could change the side dramatically.