Everton are in hot pursuit of Boca Juniors enforcer Wilmar Barrios, according to TyC Sport.
The Argentinean broadcaster claims on their website that Tottenham and Chelsea are also looking at Barrios, 24, after a solid World Cup in which he represented Colombia.
However it is understood that Boca president Daniel Angelici has decided that he will only sanction an exit at the end of the year, which means that Everton will have to wait until January to trigger the defensive midfielder’s £15.9million release clause.
Good move for Everton?
Not many people would have heard of Barrios before the World Cup, and based on his performances in Russia, he would be a very good addition for Everton.
His midfield displays are full of energy and hard-work, he is fast, he is good both on the ball and off it and given the fact that he has a £15.9million release clause, means that he would be quite a bargain.
However signing someone off the back of a good World Cup has it’s risks. What is he like for Boca? And can he replicate that form in the Premier League? It’s hard to tell at this stage so it would be a bit of a gamble to sign him up based off Russia.
This is Futbol rating 6/10
Likely to happen?
Spurs and Chelsea are also credited with an interest in Barrios, so it may be pretty tough to see off teams that are bidding to win the Premier League title for his signature.
It is also going to be tough given the fact that he will not be available until January, so it’s hard to see the Toffees wrapping this deal up any time soon.
This is Futbol rating 2/10