Everton still searching for bargains as year-long pursuit reaches critical stage
Everton have added Inter Milan midfielder Matias Vecino to their list of potential targets for the January transfer window, according to reports.
It will be an important winter for the Toffees. Their form has deteriorated in recent weeks, although their latest result was a win over Arsenal. Still, to ensure things stay on the right track, reinforcements may be helpful.
Everton operated on a low budget in the summer transfer window. They picked up Demarai Gray for a bargain fee and Andros Townsend, Asmir Begovic and Salomon Rondon without having to pay at all.
The purchase of Gray seems to have been a particularly shrewd one. Therefore, the club may continue looking for cheaper deals to help reinforce Rafa Benitez’s squad.
One player who could follow that strategy, according to FCInterNews, is Matias Vecino.
The Uruguay international is in the final few months of his contract with Inter. Thus, he would be available for a cut-price fee in January.
Vecino has only started one game in Serie A so far this season. Last term, when his side won the title, he only started three times in the competition.
No longer a key player at Inter, he could be searching for a platform elsewhere. And he has a few suitors, according to FCInterNews.
The Nerazzurri-focused website has revealed that Napoli, Everton and an unnamed Spanish club are interested in taking Vecino.
Everton, in fact, have been tracking him for a while. It is claimed they made an enquiry last year and he remains on their radar.
Currently in midfield, Everton have Abdoulaye Doucoure, Allan, Andre Gomes, Tom Davies, Fabian Delph and the injury-prone Jean-Philippe Gbamin. The 30-year-old Vecino – who has never played in the Premier League before – would give them another useful option.
If he asks for a transfer, Inter will not stand in his way, as long as they can find a replacement for a man who has come off the bench in 10 league games this season.
Everton win midfielder transfer battle
Vecino is not the only Serie A midfielder Everton have been looking at. In fact, a recent report said they have appeared to win the race for Juventus misfit Aaron Ramsey.
Things have not worked out for Ramsey since he left Arsenal for Juve on a free transfer in 2019. Now, the Old Lady are willing to cut ties with him in January.
A return to the Premier League seems likely and there could be a few options open to the Wales international. Newcastle have been linked but according to Calciomercato Everton are in pole position.
The Merseyside outfit have reportedly made contact with Ramsey’s agent. The fact that they are in a better position in the Premier League than Newcastle will work in their favour.
Whether Everton would need both Vecino and Ramsey remains to be seen. They are different kinds of players even though they operate in similar territory.
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