Everton get answer as £20m Luiz Henrique transfer agreed
Everton, Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United have been linked with a move to sign Luiz Henrique.
The 24-year-old Brazilian winger is plying his trade at Russian club Zenit St. Petersburg.
He joined them in the January transfer window from Botafogo, but appears to be on his way out again.
Inter Milan agree deal to sign Henrique for £20m
According to Everton.News (4 June), Champions League finalists Inter Milan have reached an agreement to sign Henrique.
The Copa Libertadores Hero of the Tournament award winner will be moving to Italy for a fee north of £20million.
| Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fluminense | 120 | 14 | 14 |
| Real Betis | 64 | 4 | 10 |
| Botafogo | 55 | 12 | 6 |
| Zenit St. Petersburg | 14 | 2 | 3 |
Everton initiated contact by making an enquiry to sign Henrique in recent weeks, but he did not fancy a move there.
While he was open to a move to England, joining Inter is what tempted him more and he is now set to leave and join them.
Ruben Amorim saw him playing a wing-back role while the others saw him as a pure wide player.
Everton would have struggled to convince Luiz Henrique
Even if Henrique was prioritising a Premier League move, the Toffees would have faced significant challenges in securing the 24-year-old Brazilian winger’s signature from Zenit St. Petersburg.
Inter Milan’s agreement to sign him for over £20million highlights their Champions League pedigree and appeal, which outshone the enquiry made by Everton.
Manchester United could offer substantial financial muscle and global stature, making them a formidable competitor.
Newcastle, with their recent Champions League qualification, provide an attractive platform for European football, aligning with Henrique’s ambitions.
Nottingham Forest, buoyed by a strong 2024-25 season, are poised to invest heavily again, enhancing their appeal with ambitious squad-building.
Everton, while showing interest, lack the same financial clout, European football prospects, or recent success to compete effectively.
Henrique’s preference for Inter underscores that Everton’s limited resources and mid-table status would have struggled to match the allure of these rivals, even if Henrique favoured a Premier League move.