Everton are “heavily involved” in negotiations to sign Gremio centre-back Walter Kannemann, according to Corriere dello Sport.
The Italian news outlet claims that Serie A club Cagliari are also interested in signing the 27-year-old enforcer, but it appears that the Toffees are in pole position at this moment in time.
Kannemann has been in impressive form this year with the Argentine helping Gremio keep seven clean sheets in his 10 Brazilian Serie A appearances.
He also helped his side to the Club World Cup final in December 2017, where he played a crucial role in a defence that only conceded one goal to Real Madrid.
The former Atlas defender’s CV also makes for good reading having the Copa Libertadores twice with both San Lorenzo and Gremio. He has also won the Argentine Primera Division, the Copa do Brasil and the Recopa Sudamericana.
Good move for Everton?
Kannemann certainly looks as though he would be a good signing for Everton, but there are surely better, more proven, defensive targets out there that Marco Silva can sign.
The Toffees leaked goals last season with relegated clubs like West Brom and Swansea showing more resistance to attacks in the Premier League.
Lucas Digne at left-back is a good start, but Silva and Marcel Brands must started to make moves on signing some centre-backs who can really improve the squad.
Kannemann is good, but is he going to be an upgrade? He has been playing at a very high level in Brazil, and maybe he will do wonders in the Premier League, but it seems like it could be a risk when the Toffees are not exactly short of money.
This is Futbol rating 6/10
Likely to happen?
Everton are understood to be pushing hard for this deal, but as the news report comes from Italy, it is quite hard to gauge whether or not his is happening or if it is just being reported to pressurise Cagliari into making a move.
The Toffees have been linked with a lot of centre-backs who are already plying their trade in the Premier League or top leagues in Europe, so it’s hard to see Silva taking a gamble on Kannemann.
This is Futbol rating 3/10