River Plate transfer update emerges as Everton eye Gonzalo Montiel signing
River Plate are planning to rival Everton for the signing of full-back Gonzalo Montiel, according to Pasion Futbol.
The online source reported [7 November] that Bologna, Galatasaray and Nottingham Forest are all interested in the 27-year-old Argentine, who lifted the 2022 World Cup trophy in Qatar.
Montiel began his senior career at River Plate before leaving for Sevilla in 2021, but the manager is now asking for the player to reinforce his backline back at the Estadio Mas Monumental, a move which would be seen as a "bombshell".
Everton set to face competition for Gonzalo Montiel signing
The right-back spot is clearly an area of concern for Sean Dyche, with Seamus Coleman suffering another setback in the treatment room, Nathan Patterson yet to return and Ashley Young only getting older.
Young, 39, has been the first-choice right-back at Goodison Park this term, and while he has experienced a brilliant comeback so far, he should not be a long-term fix for the Toffees.
That is exactly why a link to Brighton's Tariq Lamptey has emerged recently, as per AfricaFoot, with the Seagulls set to make a decision on his future on the coast within the next few days.
Much like the Brighton man, Montiel is struggling for valuable minutes on the pitch this season, making just three substitute appearances in La Liga so far this term and is clearly frustrated.
With decent Premier League experience under his belt already, having joined Forest on loan for the 2023/24 campaign, he could be the perfect solution to the Toffees' right-back problems.
He was linked with a move to Goodison Park during the last summer transfer window [TEAMtalk, 26 August], though a move never came to fruition and he remained in Seville.
Considering the amount of interest, however, especially from his former team, Everton will need to move quickly to ensure they can secure his signature either in January or at the end of the season.
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