‘Everton can now seal Florentino Luis transfer’ as fresh Benfica stance emerges
Florentino Luis has emerged as a potential candidate to strengthen Everton’s midfield in recent weeks.
The 25-year-old has played a crucial role in the spine of the team for several years at Benfica, but now he could be about to leave the Portuguese giants ahead of the upcoming campaign.
Everton are among a host of clubs who are keen to sign Luis, and it is understood that it could take a fee of around £25.8million to secure his signature.
David Moyes is expected to make additions to his midfield following the departure of Abdoulaye Doucoure, and Luis could be the perfect man for the Merseysiders to slot into the middle of the park.
Luis has no future at Benfica with Barrenechea likely to sign
Everton recently tied Idrissa Gana Gueye down to a new contract, but with the Senegal international now 35, they badly need some younger options in their midfield.
They now have the opportunity to secure that in Luis, who is 10 years Gueye’s junior.
Benfica are closing in on their own deal to sign Aston Villa’s Enzo Barrenechea, and it looks as though that could open the door for Everton to swoop in for Luis.
The midfielder now appears to be on borrowed time with the Eagles, according to CNN commentator Nuno Farinha.
“Florentino (Luis), when it comes to winning the ball back, is practically unbeatable,” Farinha said, his comments relayed by Mais Futebol (17 July).
“There are very few players in Europe with his ball-recovery ability. On the ball, however, he doesn’t have the same tools that Barrenechea possesses.
“Because of that, I believe he realises his time at Estádio da Luz may be coming to an end.
“It’s true that he was very important for a long time. He won titles and played a key role in them. But it seems Benfica have been looking for ‘something more’ in that position for a while now.”
Luis would be another step in the right direction for Everton
Mark Travers recently became the third signing of Everton’s summer after Thierno Barry and Carlos Alcaraz joined earlier in the window.
Barry’s signing has been the source of plenty of optimism, and Luis could be another exciting addition if the Toffees can get a deal over the line.
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
| Primeira Liga | 110 | 3 | 4 |
| Champions League | 24 | – | – |
| Europa League | 8 | – | – |
The midfielder has gained bags of experience in the Champions League across the last three seasons with Benfica, and is exactly the type of player who the Merseysiders should be looking to land as they transition into their new era.
Everton have designs on becoming a team that can compete against the ‘big six’ once again, and the signing of Luis would be another step towards helping them to achieve that goal in the future.
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