Manchester City are weighing up a move for Gremio forward Everton Soares, who is catching one too many eyes with his recent displays in the Copa America in Brazil.
According to a report on Manchester Evening News, the Sky Blues are in talks with the Brazilian club and have offered a transfer fee in the region of €40m plus bonuses to land the 23-year-old.
The contract that will hold the Brazilian star to the Etihad Stadium until 2024 will be worth €4.5m a year, the report adds.
The Gremio forward who garnered a lot of interest from numerous clubs across Europe including Manchester United was also on the City transfer list back in January.
Everton has filled in for Neymar Jr. with flying colours scoring twice in his 4 appearances in the Copa America so far helping his national team reach the semi-finals of the international tournament.
His domestic performances are not too far off with the 23-year-old managing 6 goals and an assist in 12 appearances across all competitions.
Good Move by Pep?
Manchester City have had an almost perfect squad for the last couple of seasons, which was evident in their scintillating displays over the span of two years.
They signed only one player in Riyad Mahrez last summer and went on to lift a domestic quadruple*No words needed*
Despite the recent accolades, City boss Pep Guardiola is wary of the competitiveness of the Premier League and the fact that a number of top clubs seem to have pulled up their socks this transfer window.
With the departure of Vincent Kompany and ageing players in Fernandinho and David Silva (who will leave City at the end of next season), the Blues are expected to be busy in the transfer market this time around.
Guardiola seems keen on a centre-back and a defensive midfielder while the speculation around Leroy Sane to Bayern Munich has kept the Sky Blues on the edge in case they need to move for a replacement.
Gremio man Everton, who primarily features as a left-winger and can also slot in any position in the final third due to his versatile nature, sounds like a fine bet.
The 23-year-old boasts impressive confidence on the ball and is technically astute, which is a common characteristic among the Brazilians. He also possesses excellent dribbling skills, which helps him glide past defenders on the pitch.
The Brazilian International averaged a pass success rate of 86.4%, 3.4 successful dribbles and 2.1 shots per game across all competitions last term which further highlights his shooting skills and ability to pick key passes for his teammates.
Nicknamed the ‘Little Onion’, the right-footed winger likes to cut in from the left wing and have a pop at goal. The Gremio forward also contributes during the defensive phases of the game, which is a key element for any forward in the modern game.
Everton has showcased his potential everywhere he played and a move to Europe can play a vital role in his advancement as a footballer.
Meanwhile, City looks set to reap the benefits and add another name to their long list of excellent recruitments who is highly likely to pay dividends for the Etihad club in the years to come.
Stat Courtesy: Transfermarkt, Whoscored
