Real Sociedad’s Willian Jose is being linked with a move to Barcelona.
According to Mundo Deportivo, new Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde is keen to bring Real Sociedad striker Willian Jose to the Camp Nou this summer.
Jose, 25, had loan spells with Sao Paulo, Gremio, Santos, Real Madrid, Real Zaragoza and Las Palmas before joining Real Sociedad on a permanent basis last summer.
The Brazilian hit 14 goals in 32 games for Sociedad last season, and his performances appear to have generated major interest in his signature.
Real Sociedad’s Willian Jose
Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo report that Barcelona’s new boss Ernesto Valverde is keen to lure Jose to the Camp Nou this summer, in an attempt to add something of a target man to the Barca squad.
That could be something of a blow to Everton, given that the Daily Mail reported back in April that the Toffees were closing in on a £28million deal to lure Jose to Goodison Park.
The trail has gone completely cold on that deal, and that could allow Barcelona to sneak in and sign him from under Everton’s nose, with the situation surrounding Romelu Lukaku’s future a possible issue.
Lukaku, Everton’s top goalscorer last season with 25 league goals, is expected to leave this summer, and Everton may have been eyeing up Jose as a potential replacement, given that he has great strength, power and finishing ability.
Real Sociedad’s Willian Jose in action against Barcelona
However, until Everton do sell Lukaku, they may not be able to splash the cash on a possible replacement, with deals for Jordan Pickford and Davy Klaassen taking precedence given rival interest in their signatures.
Now, with Barcelona allegedly joining the race for Jose, Everton may have to re-assess their priorities or risk missing out on the Brazilian, unless they sell Lukaku quickly and finally secure their move for the Real Sociedad star.
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