OPINION
Marco Silva was predictably tight-lipped when quizzed about Everton interest in 22-year-old Ajax winger David Neres today.
Talking in his pre-match press conference, Silva batted off the question saying, “I have to repeat, it’s not to talk now… The most important thing for us is to think about Fulham and to prepare for that match.”
Neres was on everyone’s lips after scoring the equalising goal in the Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday, shortly after Cristiano Ronaldo had put Juventus ahead. The 1-1 draw kept up Ajax’s label as this year’s surprise package after they knocked out Real Madrid.
The winger has now scored 12 goals and added 15 assists and, according to UOL, Ajaz are open to selling him in the summer for a fee of around £39million.
UOL claim that’s the sum that was bid by Guangzhou Evergrande in January and rejected by Ajax.
UOL also report that Everton are “gaining strength” in the move for Neres and that his agent Giuliano Bertolucci also helped bring Richarlison and Bernard to Goodison.
That’s exciting news for Everton fans and Silva did nothing to dispel the rumours today, flipping the conversation straight onto Saturday’s game.
It looks like Everton are gearing up for a busy summer again. Silva did say that he was keen on permanent deals for Andre Gomes and Kurt Zouma.
Add Neres into the mix and you’ve got a manager and a team that could finally live up to their ambitions of breaking into the upper echelons of the Premier League.
Things have moved on a lot from the Sam Allardyce reign. Silva is a progressive manager and Neres is one of the biggest potential young talents in the game right now.
Everton will likely have to battle some big clubs for his signature but the agent connection could help swing him in their direction – and that’s something Everton fans should be thrilled about.