Have Everton Entered the Race for Valencia Striker Rodrigo?
By Tom Power
Toffees Reportedly Ready to Battle Juventus for Valencia & Spain Hotshot
Everton‘s search for striking reinforcements has seen the Blues linked with a move for Spanish international Rodrigo Moreno.
Italian news outlet Calciomercato has tipped the Toffees to be part of a battle for the goalscorer this summer.
Everton will have to go up against Serie A giants Juventus if they wish to lure the Valencia star away from the Mestalla if reports are to be believed.
Rodrigo is part of Spain’s 23-man party for the World Cup currently taking place in Russia throughout June and July.
He forced his way into the reckoning with a haul of 16 goals in 37 games for Valencia during the 2017/18 campaign and piqued the interest of Everton as a result.
New Blues boss Marco Silva wishes to add new signings to his attacking ranks in the off season to provide competition for places up top.
Cenk Tosun, Oumar Niasse and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are battling it out for the striker spot in Silva’s side at the present time.
However, rumours of Niasse’s potential departure mean that a third option up front would be required by Silva ahead of next term.
Overall Rodrigo netted 19 goals in 44 games for Valencia as he helped them qualify for the Champions League qualification rounds.
The 27-year-old is contracted to Valencia until the summer of 2022 and would not come cheap for any would-be suitors.
Everton, though, have previous for being burnt by strikers making their way from Spain’s top flight to Goodison Park.
Sandro Ramirez arrived 12 months ago to the tune of £5.2m after he bagged 16 goals in 31 matches for Malaga during the 2016/17 season.
However, the ex-Barcelona starlet managed only one goal in 15 appearances for the Toffees as he struggled to adapt to English football’s demands.
He was subsequently shipped out on loan to Sevilla where he failed to register a goal in any of his 15 appearances back on home soil.
Everton may want to get him off the wage bill, with Sandro reportedly on £100,000-a-week on Merseyside.
Silva will struggle to find a suitable buyer for him with that salary though, and Sevilla are not thought to want to turn Sandro’s loan into a permanent deal.
Next: Are Key Everton Quartet Up for Sale?
Everton, then, wish to steer clear of Rodrigo – particularly with the Brazil-born footballer only bagging 18 goals in 91 Valencia matches before last season’s stunning form.