Everton are said to chasing Sporting Clube de Portugal captain William Carvalho, but should they be after Acuna, too, instead of Watford’s Richarlison?
Everton are reportedly very keen on Sporting Clube de Portugal captain William Carvalho, with the Portuguese club thought likely to let the midfielder leave this summer.
There’s no doubt that Everton are on the right track with their interest in Carvalho, but perhaps he shouldn’t be the only Clube de Portugal player the Toffees look at.
Everton’s pursuit of Richarlison has met with what appears to be an abrupt end, with news that Watford aren’t prepared to do any business with them after their pursuit of then club coach Marco Silva last season.
Richarlison, arguably, shouldn’t be on their list regardless after his very poor showing in the second half of the season – although the link makes sense given that Everton recently appointed Silva, the man who got the best out of the Brazilian when he was Watford coach.
A better move, however, could be made during negotiations with Sporting over Carvalho – Argentine winger Marcos Acuna.
Acuna typically plays the same position as Richarlison – operating from the left – but is an older, far more proven player. He left Racing Club for Sporting last summer as one of the most highly regarded players in Argentina – as shown by his inclusion in this summer’s Argentinian World Cup squad.
Technically outstanding and able to operate at left-back, Acuna would be a coup for Everton, with his technique and delivery seeming like the perfect compliment to the pace of Theo Walcott on the opposite side and Cenk Tosun’s centre-forward play.
Usually, this kind of player would be hard to come by, but the problems at Sporting have led to several players questioning their status at the club. Arguments with the club President over the Europa League exit to Atletico were one thing, but an attack on the players at the training ground led to some no longer even feeling safe.
If they’ve got the club at the table anyway, Everton couldn’t do much better than trying to strike a deal for Acuna too.
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