Everton have joined Manchester United and Wolves as the trio keep tabs on Gustavo Assuncao.
According to Calciomercato, Everton have joined Wolves and Manchester United in tracking the development of Famalicao defensive midfielder Gustavo Assuncao. The 20 year old has attracted a significant amount of attention from Europe recently.
The 20 year old has become an integral part of the Famalicao first team playing every minute of Liga NOS and consistently putting industrious performances for the Portuguese club. Hence it is understandable why a horde of clubs will be running behind Assuncao if he manages to outperform at a consistent level. Apart from Wolves, the Red Devils and the Toffees, Sevilla and Nice also want him.
There’s a common trend in Europe. Often, the Portuguese league and teams serve as a breeding ground for the big European clubs. The teams generally always keep scouting the Portuguese leagues, on the hunt for a breakout star. Look at James Rodriguez for example. AS Monaco saw tremendous potential in him and signed him from Porto in 2013. Look at Joao Felix.
Famalicao value Assuncao in the region of €25 million but with such demand and a host of clubs interested, a bidding war could be on the cards. His brilliant form further spices things up and clubs that are seriously interested in the Brazilian will be willing to go over the line for a player who is considered to be one of the best in Portugal.
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Assuncao is in the pool of highly promising, emerging talents who will continue to attract the attention of Europe’s elite thanks to his outstanding level of performances. Everton have often lacked squad depth and the available options are either fragile or are too mediocre to feature.
Primarily, Assuncao is a defensive midfielder meaning a direct understudy to Allan. Jean-Philippe Gbamin has had a ridiculous injury record at the Toffees. Fabian Delph is even more brittle. Tom Davies is capable of playing anywhere across the midfield but doesn’t do a spectacular job in a holding role, previous season’s performances in that role are evidence.
Assuncao is young, relatively injury free and has the hunger to build on the foundation he’s built in the early stages of his career. Everton and Carlo Ancelotti can prove to be the right incubator to develop his skills. If the Toffees are to sign the Brazilian, they’ll have to beat the likes of Manchester United and Wolves.
Who should be an understudy to Allan?