£3.6 million man on Everton radar as Frank Lampard aims for smart signings

Everton have been linked with a number of midfielders lately and now there’s another midfielder that is on Everton radar as the Toffees look to reinforce the midfield this summer. Red Bull Bragantino midfielder Eric Ramires is a player on Everton’s shortlist.

With the names linked so far, a common theme seems to be emerging. Agreed, some of them are just paper talk but the links that appear to be reliable, do have a theme in them. Everton are trying to make smart additions to the club instead of trying to buy big names. Players like Conor Gallagher, Kim Min-jae, Ederson Silva, Joao Palhinha and others will have good resale value.

The emphasis to bring players who can have good resale value is a smart strategy adopted by Everton hierarchy. Even Ramires falls in the same bracket. Some of them are unproven in the Premier League but the Toffees do have a mix of players with enough Premier League experience that can make a balanced side.

The Toffees will have to step into the market to sign a midfielder as Fabian Delph looks likely to depart after his contract expiry and Donny van de Beek will return to Manchester United. Andre Gomes has been uninspiring at times and the Toffees may look for buyers for the Portuguese to get his £100,000 per week wages off the books.

Everton eye Eric Ramires from Red Bull Bragantino

According to UOL in Brazil, Everton are studying the option to sign Red Bull Bragantino midfielder Ramires this summer. However, the Brazilian will not be very cheap as he has a contract till 2026.

Bragantino own 70% economic rights of Ramires who was on loan last season and the Red Bull club exercised their purchase option at the end of 2021. The Brazilian club paid 12 million Brazilian Reals to Bahia which roughly amounts to £1.98 million.

Last season, the midfielder racked up 48 appearances, scoring four times and assisting another couple of goals. This season he made 24 appearances and has remained an important part of Red Bull Bragantino. The Toffees have noticed his exploits in the Brazilian Serie A and are monitoring him as they plan for the summer transfer window.

The article states that Bragantino will not be interested in low offers which mean that Everton or any interested party will have to present an adequate offer. His market value as per Transfermarkt stands at £3.6 million so the Brazilian side will be expecting an offer above his market value.

The 21 year old is raw and untested in the Premier League circus but at £4 million you can hardly go wrong. From Everton’s perspective, £4 million is not a huge fee and it’s a fee they should be willing to invest.

Is Eric Ramires a smart option or a risky buy?