Brazilian defender is back on Everton radar as a possible summer target

Stories in the Spanish press today claim Everton are again interested in potentially signing Barcelona’s Brazilian full-back Emerson this summer.

This rumour has previously surfaced, frankly is there a player not getting regular football in a major European league who hasn’t been linked with Everton at some time in the recent past!

Anyway, according to this report the Toffees along with fellow Premier League rivals Arsenal are once again monitoring the full-back who has been on loan at Real Betis recently.

Previously I’ve mentioned Emerson as a player that I thought the Blues should be looking at. He’s certainly a full-back who could be just what Everton want and need to help solve the problems they have on the right hand side of the team.

Seamus Coleman is ageing and despite some fine performances again this season has struggled to combine effective defensive work with enough attacking support and he’s been hampered by injuries. At 32 the Irishman is obviously not a long-term solution.

And the lack of a viable attacking player, a winger or forward who could operate in front of the full-back is further exposing his shortcomings.

The Brazilian is ten years younger then Coleman so perfectly fits the profile of the sort of player the club need as he has pace, power and strong defensive skills but also the ability to get foward and contribute offensively.

He’s also a bigger player and better in the air than some of the other targets previously rumoured to be on the club’s wish list such as Tariq Lamptey.

More from Prince Rupert's Tower

Emerson’s future is very uncertain as he would presumably want to ge back to the Camp Nou next season if he can, although that will probably depend on who is in charge at Barca with rumours Ronald Koeman is on his way out.

According to other reports Emerson will actually stay at Bestis next season so there’s a lot of confusion about what exactly is happening.

Given Barcelona’s financial problems, if he doesn’t go back to Betis and wants to move on, the Brazilian defender might well be available for a reasonable fee as they look to get shot of fringe players.

And given the likely cost of other alledged targets such as Max Aaraons, he could be a much more affordable option for that right-back position Everton are keen to fill.

He can also play as a wing-back and in midfield so giving Carlo Ancelotti more tactical flexibility and the option to play different formations. Given all that I think if he’s available and interested in a move to England, Emerson is a good option.

Home/Transfer Rumors