AS Roma and Everton could ponder upon a swap deal
AS Roma could ask for Bernard as Everton hope to sign Robin Olsen permanently.
Everton acquired the services of Robin Olsen on the deadline day of the summer transfer window. The Swede was brought to provide competition to Jordan Pickford who had an unimpressive 2019-20 season, where the Englishman conceded 56 goals in 38 league games. Olsen arrived on a season long loan and has so far exhibited some great goalkeeping in the 3 games he’s featured in.
The Swede has not replaced Pickford in the starting eleven, with the 26 year old still the first choice keeper but the arrival of Olsen has allowed Carlo Ancelotti to rotate keepers whenever he wants. Jonas Lossl is not fully trusted by Ancelotti, hence Everton would like to keep hold of Olsen. Some reports emerged that Everton would want to redeem the Swedish keeper on a permanent basis and could approach Roma in January to settle the transfer.
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The Giallorossi are also open to permanently bid farewell to Olsen as they themselves consider entering the market for another keeper. The money received from Olsen’s sale will be reinvested for signing another netminder. However, Roma’s new Football General manager Tiago Pinto is aware about Everton’s desire to sign Olsen permanently and he could ask for Bernard in return, as per Tuttomercatoweb.
Roma have been long time admirers of Bernard and even enquired about the player’s availability in the summer on the request of manager Paulo Fonseca. Fonseca and Bernard worked together at Shakhtar Donetsk and have a cordial relationship between them.
Giallorossi are hoping to offload Carles Perez after the former Barcelona man has failed to impress at the Stadio Olimpico and Fonseca views Bernard as the perfect replacement for the Spaniard.
Bernard has not been able to completely convince Ancelotti and remains a squad player rather than a key part of the squad. The Brazilian is one of the highest paid players at Goodison, earning £120,000 a week. However, his involvement does very little to justify why he’s being paid such a big amount. An exit is not ruled out and with Roma serious about Bernard, we could see a departure in January.
Could AS Roma and Everton agree on a swap deal?
Everton would actually be incurring a loss if a straight swap for Bernard and Olsen is considered. The Brazilian has a market value of £13.5 million whereas Olsen’s valuation stands at £4.5 million. Everton could ask for player plus cash in exchange for Bernard.
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Olsen might not be the best but he does the job that’s required and hence signing him permanently won’t be a bad decision but a swap for Bernard should be avoided.