Everton linked with Brazilian forward
Reports today are linking Everton with a move for a young Brazilian striker David Neres.
The story in the Sun says Everton are one of several Premier League clubs chasing the forward who is attracting a lot of attention across Europe.
Neres has been a revelation in the Champions League this season. The young 22 year old Ajax forward has emerged as one of the stars of the season as Ajax have unexpectedly advanced all the way to the semi-finals.
The other clubs linked with him may well unfortunately have a better chance of snapping up the player than the Blues.
They are clubs who are competing for Champions League places and probably honours next season, something the Toffees are unlikely to be doing if they keep on producing performances like the one against Fulham on Saturday.
However the Blues do have one possible trump card. Director of Football Marcel Brands might well have an inside track on the player because of his background in Dutch football.
Although he was of course at PSV Eindhoven and not at Neres’ club Ajax, this could be of some help if the Blues do consider pursuing the Brazilian.
Neres seems a pretty decent player overall, who is versatile and can play right across the front line. This versatility, attacking qualities and his youth make him the kind of forward that Everton have been linked with before.
Interestingly though he’s not as effective a player as another one linked with a possible move to England, the PSV forward Hirving Lozano. The Mexican player is one of the best players in the Dutch Eriedivisie.
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Either of these players joining the Toffees would almost certainly strengthen Everton’s attacking options and quality next season, something that seems ever more urgent.
In other news concerning the Blues, it was confirmed on Tuesday that midfielder Andre Gomes will be banned for three games after his tackle on Aleksandar Mitrovic on Saturday at Fulham.
This is a frustrating, if not an unexpected outcome and means he will miss the matches against Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Burnley.