Everton scout Joao Mario at Porto v Olympiacos as transfer update emerges
Everton scouts were in attendance for Porto versus Olympiacos to watch Joao Mario on Thursday, according to Everton News.
The website reported [24 January] that the Toffees were sent to watch the 25-year-old right-back, who completed 73 minutes during a 1-0 defeat to Olympiacos on 23 January.
Spies were also sent by Arsenal, Aston Villa, Brentford, Chelsea, Leicester City and Crystal Palace, while Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen also had scouts at the game [Record, page 6].
David Moyes has previously taken interest in the Portuguese defender during his time at West Ham.
Everton in search for a new right-back
While Ashley Young has been a huge player for the Toffees so far this season, it would not hurt Moyes to add a new full-back to the squad before the winter transfer window slams shut on 3 February.
Seamus Coleman is still sidelined, and with Nathan Patterson’s future up in the air, Jake O’Brien is the latest player to be tested in the right-back position against Tottenham.
On the opposite flank, the Toffees do not currently have a suitable replacement for Vitaliy Mykolenko, and while Mario is naturally a right-back, he could help on the other side too.
The 25-year-old has notched three assists in 12 Liga Portugal appearances this season, but with only half of those being starts, a move to the Premier League could tempt him away from Porto.
With experience in the Champions League and Europa League, it would certainly be a sensible signing by the Toffees, especially given his three caps for the Portugal national team.
While he somewhat struggled against Olympiacos, the scouts will have watched more than just one performance of his before making a decision back at Goodison Park.
Moyes might regret not adding a new defender to his ranks before the transfer window slams shut.
In other Everton news, a 4x Olympic Gold Medal winner has predicted the scoreline ahead of the Brighton clash.
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