Everton reportedly backed out of a deal to sign Flamengo’s Reinier Jesus for £35m – but the Premier League outfit could renew their interest next year.
You can’t have them all.
And with Everton putting all their focus on signing Moise Kean and Alex Iwobi before the transfer window slammed shut, at least once they accepted defeat over Wilfried Zaha, Reinier Jesus appeared to have been left by the wayside.
According to UOL, arguably the most exciting young midfielder Brazilian football right now was expecting to complete a £35 million move to Goodison Park before mid-August.
But Everton appeared to suffer from a nasty case of cold feet at the eleventh hour.
Globo Esporte claim that the Merseysiders backed away from a deal for the Flamengo wonderkid and have instead decided to wait and see how the teenager progresses before potentially renewing their interest in the summer of 2020.
Given that Reinier had never played in the top flight of Brazilian football before the new campaign kicked off, you can see why Everton would be having second thoughts about investing £35 million, regardless of the playmaker’s undoubted star quality.
But considering the way Reinier has started his first season as a professional, don’t be surprised if he has suddenly reclaimed his place right at the top of Marcel Brands’ wishlist.
Reinier was nothing short of exceptional in Saturday’s 3-0 win at Avai, producing his first goal and his first assist at senior level. And, after the game, Flamengo’s outspoken manager Jorge Jesus only added to the belief that Renier could be the spiritual successor to 2006 Ballon D’Or winner Kaka.
“He will have a bright future. There are things similar to a Brazilian player who went abroad very early. He has style and the physical profile of Kaka,” the brilliant, bouffanted coach told Lance.
It goes without saying that Reinier has a long way to go to match the man who won a World Cup with Brazil, shone at AC Milan and once joined Real Madrid for a world-record £56 million (The Telegraph).
But could Everton be his first stepping stone on the route to greatness?
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