Everton move for Maxwel Cornet at risk as club close in on Ruben Vinagre
Everton are reportedly closing in on a loan-to-buy move for Sporting CP defender Ruben Vinagre and that could have an impact on the Toffees’ pursuit of Burnley’s Maxwel Cornet.
According to Portuguese newspaper Record in its print edition [26 July, pg. 9], the Merseyside club are prepared to cover the 23-year-old’s £680,000-a-week salary as they look to bring the former Wolves man to Goodison Park.
It has also been suggested that if he performs well at Goodison Park, Everton could sign the left-sided defender for just under £8.5million.
However, the Toffees have also registered a well-documented interest in Burnley’s Cornet.
Journalist Fraser Fletcher, who has previously worked for the BBC has suggested (via Twitter, 25 July) that the 25-year-old’s future will be decided this week with Fulham, Nottingham Forest, Everton and one unnamed Premier League club in the race.
With Everton supposedly closing in on Vinagre, who operates in a similar position to Cornet, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Toffees only sign one of the left-sided pair.
With funds seemingly tight at Goodison Park this summer, Frank Lampard must be clever in who he decides to bring into the club, and signing two left-sided players whilst also having Vitaliy Mykolenko on his books, wouldn’t be the smartest business.
Vinagre does have Premier League experience having previously spent time at Wolverhampton Wanderers, but it’s difficult to make a case for him being a better option than Cornet, albeit that he is more defensively minded.
Cornet was unfortunate to feature in a relegated side in the 2021/22 season.
He will undoubtedly require a larger transfer fee than Vinagre although he will be a far better option for Lampard to look into.
His nine goals and two assists for the Lancashire side were an impressive return for the Ivory Coast international.
Furthermore, his versatility could prove to be a real asset for Lampard to utilise with Cornet able to play a variety of positions.
Time will tell who the club choose to make their main target, but Evertonians should not expect both players to be signed in the coming weeks.