Everton jump ahead of rivals to sign James Rodriguez’s former teammate rated at £13.5m

As per reports, Everton have made an approach for Lucas Vazquez who is bound to leave Real Madrid for free after the end of this season.

Carlo Ancelotti is successfully extracting the best out of the Everton team at the moment despite a few holes to cover, gaps to fill and improvements to be made. What has worked magnificently for Ancelotti is the versatile nature of the squad, allowing the Italian to tinker with shapes and styles.

Ben Godfrey is arguably the most versatile player in the squad, capable of playing anywhere across back four and even in a three man defence. If need be, he can also be worth a shout in the holding midfield role. Having few malleable players that can be meshed into the system as per the requirements is any coach’s dream.

Everton are chasing European football next season. If their ambitions come to fruition, the Toffees will be playing in four competitions. There have been numerous examples in the past of how the pressure of a gruelling schedule has got the better of the players.

In order to avoid that Everton will definitely seek reinforcements in the summer to improve squad depth. If Everton manages to sign versatile players, capable of playing in multiple positions, the team can kill two birds with one stone. One such player available on the market is Lucas Vazquez. In fact, the Merseysiders have been linked to the Spaniard in recent weeks.

Everton have made an approach for Lucas Vazquez

Everton have reportedly jumped ahead of Leeds United, AC Milan and other interested parties in the race to sign Vazquez as a free agent in the upcoming summer. According to Spanish media outlet El Gol Digital, the Spaniard is all set to leave Real Madrid after failing to reach an agreement over a contract extension and will be seeking newer pastures.

The report adds that Everton have already made an approach for the 29 year old which now puts them ahead of Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United. A couple of days ago, another report stated that Vazquez is eyeing a Premier League move as he instructed his entourage to find him a club in England. Arsenal and Tottenham have been approached with the availability of Vazquez.

The Real Madrid winger’s demands for a contract extension do not coincide with what Los Blancos are willing to offer prompting a likely exit in the summer. The Spaniard, a winger by trade, can comfortably slot in the right back position and offer defensive stability as well as attacking intent from the flanks, which is evident this season as Vazquez has replaced the injured Dani Carvajal.

Everton’s right sided problems are Ancelotti’s Achilles heel. Having someone like Vazquez who offers a plethora of options can prove to be a huge advantage. When such a skilled attacker is available for free there will be clubs encircling as pesky flies hover around food.

James Rodriguez can also act as a factor in vouching for Everton and convincing Vazquez as the duo spent so much time together in Madrid. Everton have a realistic chance of beating the likes of Leeds United and other interested parties but they will have to act swiftly.

Would you like to see Lucas Vazquez at Everton next season?