Everton: Fresh transfer twist emerges in quest to sign Real Betis winger Luiz Henrique
Real Betis are not interested in selling Luiz Henrique to Everton this month and will not accept any “haggling” over their €18million (£15m) price tag, according to Estadio Deportivo.
The Spanish news outlet shared (19 January) that the Toffees will have to work hard to convince Betis to part company with the Brazilian with Everton wanting a loan until the end of the season with an option to make the move permanent rather than an obligation to do so.
ABC Sevilla shared on 19 January that the entourage of Henrique are on board with a move to Goodison Park and Everton are proposing a loan with no buy option.
However, in a fresh new twist, Betis are playing hardball over their £15m price tag and will only accept a loan with an obligation to buy.
Must sell to buy
The fact that Betis the Spanish side have not found the existing offers for Luiz Henrique convincing suggests a potential opening for Everton to strengthen their pursuit.
Everton’s preference for a pure loan deal aligns with their strategy to assess the player’s adaptability and impact in the Premier League before committing to a permanent transfer.
However, it seems as if Betis don’t want that and will be demanding their £15m price tag is met on the completion of the loan at the end of the season but whether Everton will have that kind of cash remains to be seen given the financial situation and the impending takeover from 777 Partners.
Right now, the Toffees are in a sell to buy scenario if they want to strengthen their squad and there’s already been talk of interest in the likes of Amadou Onana, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Arnaut Danjuma.
The former two will surely not be allowed to leave this month given their importance to Sean Dyche but Danjuma does look like a possibility if his limited opportunities don’t improve.
If Danjuma were to leave, that would certainly mean Dyche is well short in attack hence the interest in Henrique.
The Brazilian is a talented player but there are doubts over whether he can quickly impact the Everton attack were he to move and an obligation would mean the Toffees are taking a big risk in signing him. They may have to look closer to home for possible targets right now.
In other Everton news, a Toffees-linked player is now in advanced talks to secure a move to Sheffield United in the January transfer window.
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