Everton ready approach to seal Florentino Luis transfer at Goodison Park
Everton have had Benfica midfielder Florentino Luis in their sights for some time and are now appear to be preparing a bid to sign the 24-year-old, according to O Jogo.
The Portuguese outlet reported that after first approaching Benfica about Florentino’s services in January, Everton are readying a second approach to bring the midfielder to Goodison Park this summer.
Sean Dyche’s side could be short of central midfielders next season with players out of contract and other departures mooted, and Florentino would likely fit the bill following the Toffees’ Premier League survival.
O Jogo’s report states that although Florentino has played 45 matches for Benfica already this season and is under contract until 2027, that won’t stop Everton from tabling a proposal which could suit all parties.
Will Everton sign Florentino Luis?
Everton’s summer transfer business rests almost entirely on the status of their pending takeover, as Farhad Moshiri looks to sell the club to US investment group 777 Partners or an alternative third party.
However, the fact that the Toffees are reportedly preparing a bid for Florentino just days after the Premier League season concluded implies that they want to bring the Angolan-born midfielder to Goodison Park regardless of upcoming developments.
As things stand, Florentino looks likely to walk straight into Sean Dyche’s first-choice XI. Andre Gomes and Dele Alli are two of several players out of contract, and Amadou Onana has been linked with a £50million move away from Goodison Park.
Idrissa Gueye and Abdoulaye Doucoure have both triggered one-year extensions to their deals, and the potential arrival of Florentino at Goodison Park would add a new dimension to the Blues’ midfield alongside them.
If Benfica are willing to sell Florentino to Everton, it’s a deal which the club should aim to complete as quickly as possible; solving a potentially problematic position with a highly-rated player, who could become the focal point of a squad which may look vastly different to now on the first day of next season.
In other Everton news, 777 Partners’ “prison” verdict has emerged as the takeover of the club delves into further chaos.
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