Now that we’ve had the Champions League final, surely 2019/20 – the longest football season on record – is finally over and that means it’s time for fans to focus on transfer speculation.
We don’t have long for 2020/21 to kick-off though – it already has in several European leagues and it’s the Community Shield at Wembley on Saturday – but Everton’s Premier League programme doesn’t begin until the weekend of September 12 and the international ‘summer’ transfer window will remain open until October 5.
In the meantime though, here’s a look at the latest Blues-related rumours swirling around the internet on the tittle-tattle trail.
Who?
Allan, the main man when it comes to Everton transfer rumours it seems.
Everton since his former Napoli boss Carlo Ancelotti was appointed at Goodison Park, the Brazilian midfielder has been linked to the Blues and the speculation – certainly from Italy – has reached a fever pitch in recent weeks.
Where?
Sport Witness cite Corriere dello Sport as proclaiming that Allan’s move to Everton could be done in “a matter of hours” with the player himself ready to present himself “suitcase in hand” (although he has been included in the squad for Napoli’s pre-season retreat to Castel di Sangro) for his next adventure which is the “only destination” for him.
The two clubs are said to be heading “towards an agreement” with just “one, maybe two phone calls” needed to unblock the situation.
However, Inside Futbol quote Rai Sport as insisting that Napoli are not yet ready to sign off a deal and will wait until September 1 before waving through a deal.
What?
Everton certainly need some extra bite in their engine room and given that it’s not in their interests to lose a leading light from Serie A, it would seem counterproductive for Italian outlets to over-egg the situation.
All the noise coming out of Naples is that Allan has his heart set on reuniting with Ancelotti at Goodison Park but negotiations appear to have become frustratingly protracted.
Who?
Thiago Silva, the veteran Brazil captain who was denied a dream end to his eight-year stint at Paris Saint-Germain as they lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich in Sunday night’s Champions League final.
The centre-back, who turns 36 next month, played 315 times for the French club.
Where?
Despite being linked with a reunification with Ancelotti – who signed him for both PSG and AC Milan – Silva doesn’t appear to be on his way to Everton or indeed Tottenham Hotspur who he was also linked to.
Sky Sports reports that the player is close to signing a one-year deal with big-spending Premier League rivals Chelsea and it’s even claimed that he could put pen to paper before the week is out.
What?
While Ancelotti will be looking to build for the future, Evertonians of a certain vintage will recall the impressive job golden oldie Richard Gough did at the heart of the Blues defence despite being 37 by the time he arrived at Goodison Park.
Perhaps Silva could have played a similar role but instead it looks like he could be joining Gabriel as the second French-based Brazilian centre-back who Everton could miss out on this summer.
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Who?
Completing a hat-trick of Brazilians, we turn to Rafinha.
The midfielder, 27, has been with Barcelona since 2011 but in that time he has been loaned out to both Internazionale and Celta twice, including last season.
The son of 1994 World Cup winner Mazinho, Sao Paulo-born Rafinha, capped twice for Brazil, is also the brother of Bayern Munich’s Liverpool-linked midfielder Thiago Alcantara, who was born in Italy (when his dad was playing for Lecce) but represents Spain at international level.
Where?
The Express cite Catalan publication Sport as saying that Barcelona will offload Rafinha this summer and that the Premier League looks his most likely destination.
They suggest that Ancelotti is “keeping an eye” on the £14million-rated player who is now in the final year of his contract while Arsenal and West Ham United are also monitoring the situation.
What?
Rafinha seems a gifted midfielder with a decent pedigree but given that he provides more silk than steel, compatriots like Allan seem more suited to what Everton need to be prioritising right now.
- Who would you like to see Everton sign this summer? Let us know in the comments section below.
