OPINION
Everton are reportedly set for talks about the signing of Sporting CP midfielder Pedro Delgado next week – and if the Toffees were to get a deal over the line, they could be about to strike gold.
Corriere dello Sport journalist Alfredo Pedulla has reported on his personal website that the Toffees will discuss a potential transfer for the 21-year-old in London next week after Marco Silva personally requested the signing of the Portugal Under-21 international.
It is understood that there have been discussions between the former Inter Milan midfielder and a return to Italy, however they did not go to plan and it seems that Everton are in pole position to sign him up.
Delgado is an extremely promising young talent, who was in great form for Sporting CP’s B team in the second-tier of Portuguese football last season.
He scored six goals and supplied three assists in 29 league games for the Lisbon giants’ reserves, and even managed to find the scoresheet on separate occasions against Porto’s B team.
While Everton already have a large amount of midfielders, it never hurts to add more depth to the squad if those players coming in are young and full of potential.
Delgado is certainly someone who can flourish under the wing of fellow countryman Silva, who has shown that he is keen on using his personal links to sign players already this summer when he welcomed Richarlison to Goodison from his former club Watford.
Even if Delgado does not prove to be a major success at Everton, there is still a chance to turn him into a good financial asset, who can be sold for a wealthy profit in the future.
Sporting CP have been in turmoil this summer and many of their players have left by tearing up their contracts, so there is a good chance that Delgado could be on the move for a minimal fee if he tries to force a move away from a club he seemingly has no chance of first team football at.
All in all, it would be a solid piece of business by Everton to sign the midfield maestro, and we could be seeing him making waves in the squad very soon if these talks in London go without a hitch.