Everton are reportedly interested in signing Atletico Madrid full-back, Santiago Arias. The player has been with the Spanish club since 2018, joining from PSV for a fee of £11 million.
As per Liverpool Echo, the Atleti sporting director Andrea Berta has confirmed interest from the Merseyside club, while the likes of Roma and Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in signing him. The report further goes on to state that Santiago Arias could be available for a fee of €15 million.
Arias has three years remaining on his current contract at the Spanish club. He is a Colombian international who has played 53 times for his national team.
Santiago Arias: Is he needed at Everton?
Santiago Arias is an experienced right-back, who has plied his trade in Europe since 2011, first playing for Sporting Lisbon, followed by a long spell with PSV. At Atletico Madrid, he has fallen down the pecking order, with manager Diego Simeone choosing Kieran Trippier and Sime Vrsaljko ahead of him.
The 28-year-old is an attacking full-back, who likes to bomb forward on the right flank at every opportunity. Arias is a player that overlaps on the right and puts in teasing balls for the forwards to attack. He is a solid player defensively and is a tenacious full-back, who likes to put in tackles and dispossess the opponents. In the 2019-20 season, Arias averaged 2.6 tackles and 1.4 interceptions per game in La Liga. Arias is also good in the air, averaging 1.8 aerial balls won per game last season.
The Colombian could be a useful addition to the Everton squad, and one that can compete with Toffees captain Seamus Coleman for the right-back position. Arias’ experience, tenacity, and attacking skills will make the Premier League side stronger at the back. Currently, manager Carlo Ancelotti’s other option at right-back is Jonjoe Kenny. Kenny hasn’t played much for the Everton senior team, despite showing a lot of promise.
He may go out on loan yet again, which could prompt Everton to bring another right-back. Santiago Arias could link up well with his compatriot James Rodriguez, on the Everton right, offering something in attack and defence.
The Colombian will be a good addition to the Everton squad and give the team even more depth and with Carlo Ancelotti getting the team to gel and play competent football, he will want the required quality depth as the Toffees look to make an impression towards the top of the Premier League table, after a long hiatus.
