Everton make contact to seal Richard Rios transfer after Copa America
Everton have made contact with Palmeiras about signing midfielder Richard Rios this summer, according to UOL.
Writing on their website (18 July), the news outlet report that the Toffees and Leicester have approached the Brazilian club about a deal for the Colombia midfielder who shone as his nation finished as runners-up at Copa America.
Palmeiras aren’t interested in selling Rios, but have set his value at between £12.6million and £16.8million for a deal to be done during this window.
Everton to bolster midfield with Richard Rios transfer
The midfield options at Goodison Park are strong, but they still need more additions this summer if Sean Dyche wants to improve the team’s league position.
Tim Iroegbunam has come in to take Andre Gomes’ place in the squad, while a decision still needs to be made on Dele Alli after he travelled with the squad for pre-season to Ireland despite not signing a new contract [Joe Thomas, 15 July].
However, with Amadou Onana set to join Aston Villa in a £50million deal [Fabrizio Romano, 13 July] there is a gaping hole in the squad now that needs to be filled.
Onana is a quality player but he doesn’t quite suit what Dyche wants from his midfielders, and Rios could potentially provide that with his passing and tough tackling style.
The fee may seem a little high if you’re judging it off just one tournament, but the likelihood is that the scouting department has had their eye on the position for a while ahead of the summer and they’ll have a better idea of if he fits the profile they want than fans will.
It’s now just about deciding if the fee is worthwhile, but there is money to spend and a midfielder is needed so this is one to keep an eye on.
In other Everton news, one player is “ready to pack his bags” for a move to Goodison Park this summer.
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