Resurgent Premier League side Everton are hoping to lure Ivan Marcano from Portuguese giants FC Porto in the January transfer window.
Porto are so determined to keep Ivan Marcano at the Dragao that they are prepared to offer him a rather substantial wage increase.
The Spanish defender is a man in demand with his contract due to expire at the end of the season and Everton are among the raft of clubs hoping to secure him in January. And A Bola (as shown on the front page of their print edition, December 21) report The Toffees are still interested despite having an offer rejected on the final day of the summer transfer window.
Inter Milan and Valencia, two fallen giants who look revitalised in Italy and Spain this season, are also hot on Marcano’s trail.
But A Bola adds that Porto have not accepted defeat just yet. It is understood that they will stretch their wage cap to its limit in order to offer Marcano a yearly wage of around £1.7 million – only the legendary goalkeeper Iker Casillas makes more at the Primeira Liga leaders.
Nonetheless, the money on offer in the Premier League means the 30-year-old would probably earn way more than this £32,000-a-week deal by putting pen to paper with Everton.
The Toffees have improved greatly at the back since the typically organised Sam Allardyce took over last month, conceding just two goals in their last five top flight games.
But with Michael Keane struggling to settle, Ramiro Funes Mori injured and Phil Jagielka and Ashley Williams ageing fast, another centre-back would be welcomed with open arms.
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