Everton make Florentino Luis transfer priority as takeover takes new twist
Florentino Luis is one of the priorities on the Everton transfer target list despite ongoing uncertainty surrounding their ownership situation, according to A Bola.
The Portuguese outlet reported that the Benfica midfielder could be on the move this summer, but the Toffees may struggle to complete a deal unless a takeover is resolved at Goodison Park.
The struggles surrounding Everton’s potential owners 777 Partners were name-checked, although recent developments have suggested that they could be overlooked in favour of Crystal Palace stakeholder John Textor.
Sean Dyche remains a big fan of the 24-year-old, who is under contract until 2027, and Benfica coach Roger Schmidt is reportedly already preparing for Florentino’s departure by bringing in Mainz midfielder Leandro Barreiro.
Will Everton sign Florentino Luis?
Everton’s squad is braced for mass change this summer, largely brought about by the club’s ailing financial situation and a seemingly never-ending stalemate in the boardroom.
The Toffees’ midfield will likely contain the greatest number of new faces next season, with Andre Gomes and Dele Alli both out of contract and Amadou Onana linked with a big-money move away.
Should sales occur for Onana, as well as Jarrad Branthwaite and potentially even striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, money will be freed up for the Blues to buy cut-price replacements in their respective positions.
A title-winning midfielder still aged just 24, Florentino certainly won’t come cheap – he has a buyout clause at Benfica worth over £102million – but could provide an alternative to the likes of Idrissa Gueye, who despite having an exceptional end to the season, turns 35 in September.
Any pursuit will hinge on Everton’s struggles at boardroom level as Farhad Moshiri desperately searches for a suitable buyer, but if any one of 777, Textor or a third party can complete a takeover, expect Florentino to be one of the first new signings through the Goodison Park door.
In other Everton news, the club are now “confident” of landing an attacking player permanently this summer.
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