According to Fabrizio Romano, Everton are keen to sign Barcelona’s Ronald Araújo, with the defender highly appreciated at Goodison Park.
The 22-year-old is currently being coached by ex-Everton boss Ronald Koeman at the Camp Nou, where he’s making big strides.
Araújo was signed in a €1.7 million (£1.5 million) deal from Uruguayan outfit Boston River, where he went straight into Barcelona’s academy.
However, he has quickly worked his way into the starting XI, making 20 appearances in La Liga this season, scoring two goals.
Araújo has also earned international recognition, winning one cap for Uruguay so far.
Everton seem to have identified a potentially brilliant signing.
Koeman certainly sounds like a big fan of the South American.
The Dutchman called Araújo a ‘quality’ centre-back, while also describing him as a ‘strong’ and ‘fast’ player back in February.
MARCA quote Koeman as saying: “Araújo has had a very good season. He is a young defender, he has learnt a lot, he has shown his quality, his physique. It’s important to have strong, fast players.”
Do Everton actually need another centre-back?
You could argue they don’t.
Carlo Ancelotti already has Michael Keane, Yerry Mina, Mason Holgate and Ben Godfrey as options in that department.
In that respect, signing Araújo would only make sense if one of these players were to be sold.
Nevertheless, it’s still encouraging to see Marcel Brands identify an exciting, young talent starring in one of Europe’s top five leagues.
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