Everton are interested in signing FC Porto right-back Ricardo Pereira, according to A Bola.
The Portuguese football news outlet claim that the Toffees alongside Juventus, Arsenal, Tottenham, Valencia and Nice have all tried to find out how much Porto would accept for the speedy 24-year-old defender.
A Bola report that Pereira could potentially cost £17.5million due to a release clause in his contract but that the Portuguese giants have been trying to shield that fact from interested clubs.
Its is believed that Porto have been attempting to get the defender to sign a new contract, as his current deal only has a year left on it, but they have been unsuccessfully with the offers they have made so far.
The 24-year-old right-back, who can also play as a right-sided midfielder or a left-back has featured 40 times for his club this season.
Pereira’s versatility has seen him be manager Sergio Conceicao’s fifth most used player of the current campaign.
Good move for Everton?
Yes, Pereira’s excellent reputation proceeds him.
The 24-year-old flyer due to his pace and power could easily be a revelation at Goodison Park if the club won the race for his signature.
Pereira’s versatility would also give whoever is in charge of the Toffees next season a variety of options on how to best utilised the player.
The defender could also easily be a permanent long-term solution to the club’s issues at left-back, which has caused them to suffer severe problems throughout this season.
Leighton Baines is currently the only natural left-back in the Toffees’ first-team squad and at the age of 33-years-old, who knows how long he can keep regularly performing in the Premier League.
This Is Futbol rating: 8/10
Likely to happen?
The Toffees face tough competition for Pereira’s signature but if they’re able to convince him to come to Merseryside they should be easily able to complete a deal for his service.
As A Bola’s report states the Toffees’ past transfer business suggests that they will have no problem stumping up the required £17.5million for his services.
The Premier League club should also have no issues handing the defender a lucrative deal as according to the Portuguese football news outlet, the defender is due a hefty increase on his current Porto wage.
This Is Futbol rating: 5/10