Alcaraz ready to sign permanent Everton deal after what he’s heard at Goodison
Carlos Alcaraz has burst into life as an Everton player following his impact against Crystal Palace last weekend.
The Flamengo loanee – who was the only arrival during the winter transfer window into David Moyes’ squad – made a lasting impression with a crucial Everton winner at Selhurst Park (15 February), helping his side secure four wins from five in the Premier League.
Drawing on his previous experience in England with Southampton, the Argentine attacking midfielder is looking to deputise in the role of the injured Iliman Ndiaye and carve his own permanent spot in the side this season.
Alcaraz loving life at Everton
Alcaraz has not only played some of his best football during his short stint in a blue shirt but appears happy at Everton, thoroughly enjoying his return to the Premier League after an underwhelming spell in Brazil.
While the 22-year-old’s deal is only a loan until the summer, he is keen to potentially extend his stay with a permanent transfer according to Paul Joyce.
Alcaraz told The Times that he would like to “settle” at Everton and make his deal a permanent contract, representing the Toffees in the Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium’s opening years.
“Currently it is a loan deal until the end of the season but, yes, I would like to settle down and make it longer. I would like to be playing in this shirt for a longer period, for sure,” the midfield man said.
“I was really happy [with my goal]. It was a fantastic moment wearing this beautiful shirt in front of those fantastic fans. To hear them chanting my name, singing my name, when it was my first start was a beautiful moment.
“I just want to show them what I can do, what a classic player I am and pay back that faith. It was something that really made me proud, to hear that so soon.”
Supporters in the away section watching on as their side overcame Palace were delirious over Alcaraz, consistently chanting his name and showing their appreciation for a player who has come in under a degree of pressure.
Moyes will aim to draw the best from the one-time Juventus ace between now and the end of the campaign with 13 Premier League fixtures to go.
Toffees on the up as Alcaraz settles fast
It could have been difficult for Alcaraz to hit the ground running at Goodison Park and certainly easy for him to cower into the abyss of the squad.
He was benched for his first two games in blue due to the excellent form of Ndiaye, who hobbled off during the first half of a memorable Merseyside derby with Liverpool (12 February) and will be ruled out for several weeks.
Alcaraz knew his time had come and he was drafted by Moyes straight into the role of the best-performing flair player in the Toffees squad. He was superb at Palace, and resumed his limited experience of the Premier League like a duck to water.
The Flamengo loanee does not yet know what his future holds in the Brazilian game, but his spell there had been a tricky one after having signed a five-year deal just last summer.
If an opportunity comes for him to stay in the Premier League and become a regular at Bramley-Moore Dock for years to come, he clearly sees it as a no-brainer – Alcaraz loves the Everton fans already; they have already shown that it is mutual.