Is This Trio Set to Join Everton This Summer?
By Tom Power
The latest round-up of transfer rumours concerning the Toffees
Everton‘s senior stars returned to Finch Farm for the start of pre-season training on Monday.
With plenty of futures on the line and potential new incomings ahead of the new term, however, the gossip columns have continued to link the Blues with a variety of players.
Here are the latest names to be touted as possible Goodison Park arrivals:
Robles Replacement Identified?
The Toffees are believed to be weighing up a season-long loan swoop for Manchester United’s Joel Pereira, according to the Daily Mail.
Marco Silva apparently wants to bring his Portuguese counterpart, who is available for loan, to Merseyside to act as the primary back-up to Jordan Pickford in goal.
Former number two Joel Robles left on a free transfer when his contract expired at the start of July, and Silva wants another body for between the sticks if called upon.
Pereira has three senior appearances under is belt for the Red Devils but needs game time to continue his development.
The 22-year-old wouldn’t get many minutes ahead of Pickford but, as an alternative to the ageing Maarten Stekelenburg, he would definitely compete for a starting berth with England’s number one.
Portugal Star Linked With Merseyside Move
Everton have already been looking at one Portuguese midfielder this summer but, according to Gazzamercato, it isn’t William Carvalho they wish to court.
Instead, Inter Milan playmaker Joao Mario is said to be interesting Silva and director of football Marcel Brands.
The ex-West Ham loanee is believed to be available for transfer to the tune of £22m and could be a decent acquisition for the Blues to pick up.
However, it could well be that Silva’s Portuguese links mean this may just be paper talk based on the duo’s shared nationality.
Mario was part of his national side’s squad at the World Cup before their elimination to Uruguay last Sunday.
The 25-year-old made 15 and 14 appearances respectively for Inter and West Ham last term.
More Competition for Tierney?
The Birmingham Mail has claimed that Wolves have entered the race for Everton target Kieran Tierney.
The Celtic left-back is a £25m target for Silva as he looks for a long-term replacement to Leighton Baines.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s newly-promoted team, though, have weighed in on those chasing the Scotland international.
Bournemouth and Tottenham are also interested in the 21-year-old, and Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has said he won’t stand in Tierney’s way if he wants to leave.
Next: Everton Face Merseyside Fight to Land Domagoj Vida
Tierney would be a solid signing for Everton, but if a bidding war ensues it will seriously hike his price up.