Everton are aiming to sign Porto’s Spanish centre-back Ivan Marcano in January – a regular in the Champions League in recent seasons.
While Everton would have been frustrated with their failure to sign a natural replacement for Romelu Lukaku this summer, Ronald Koeman’s desire for a left-sided centre-half also went unfulfilled.
Though at least Everton are putting plans in place to rectify this as soon as possible. The Mail claims that The Toffees with make a move for FC Porto’s experienced centre-back Ivan Marcano, who can also play on the left, in the January transfer window.
Everton made enquiries this summer but were put off by Porto’s inflated price-tag – though he is out of contract next summer meaning he may be available on a cut-price deal in the mid-season window.
And it’s not just experience and versatility that Marcano, a former Spain Under-21 international would bring to Goodison Park. The 30-year-old would add further European nous to Koeman’s squad – something that could come in handy with Everton aiming to fight on two fronts in the coming seasons.
Everton have made no secret of their desire to qualify for the Champions League but, while many of Koeman’s players have experience in the Europa League, the continent’s biggest club competition has passed the majority by.
Wayne Rooney won ‘Ol Big Ears’ with Manchester United in 2008, Aaron Lennon reached the quarter-finals with Tottenham and Davy Klaassen represented Ajax on occasions but that is the limit.
Marcano, however, would be the second most experienced Champions League campaigner in Everton’s squad after Rooney. He has featured in the competition 18 times across four seasons, helping Porto beat Chelsea at the Estadio do Dragao in the group-stages two years ago.
Strangely enough, then, you wonder if Everton would be signing a 30-year-old with an eye on the future. If The Toffees do reach the Champions League, Marcano’s know-how could be vital.
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