After director confirmed Everton talks, Toffees target seals ‘fantastic’ move elsewhere

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Santiago Arias has completed his move to Bayer Leverkusen just days after Atletico Madrid confirmed they were speaking to Everton about the £10 million Colombia international, as reported by the Bundesliga club’s official website.

It is hard to imagine a player better suited to the high-octane nature of German football.

Arias, a speedy South American who won a trio of Eredivisie titles at PSV Eindhoven, is the very definition of a rampaging right-back

It is that aggressive, all-action style which should make him a thrilling addition to a league famed for its rapid transitions and driving wing play.

Peter Bosz’s Leverkusen, who narrowly missed out on a Champions League place last season, have signed Arias on loan, with an option to buy.

“(This is) a fantastic opportunity to take on a new challenge after two great and successful years in Madrid. Bayer 04 Leverkusen are one of the best clubs in the Bundesliga with a very good reputation in Spain,” said Arias, who slipped behind Kieran Trippier and Srme Vrsaljko in Atletico’s pecking order.

“We have a team that can go a long way – and I want to help achieve that.”

“(Arias) has proved himself at a top European club,” adds sporting director Simon Rolfes. “Santiago will be a key player in our team with his footballing ability and his mentality.”

Speaking to Kicker earlier this week, Atletico’s own sporting director, Andrea Berta, admitted that the 2014 La Liga champions were ‘talking’ to Everton, as well as Roma and Paris Saint-Germain.

Interestingly, Berta added that Los Colchoneros were not in discussions with Bayer Leverkusen; comments that seemed more than a little strange when Arias was holding up his new number two shirt in Germany a few days later.