Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim admits that a decision must be paid about whether or not to sign Joao Virginia from Premier League giants Everton in 2022, speaking to Noticias ao Minuto.
Virgina’s Champions League bow certainly could have gone better.
The 22-year-old shot-stopper made just his third start since joining Sporting from Goodison Park last summer but ended up picking the ball out of his net on four separate occasions as Erik Ten Hag’s all-conquering Ajax ran riot at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
Without Virginia, however, a 4-2 scoreline might have become even more lopsided.
The one-time Arsenal youngster still faces an uphill battle as he looks to usurp the experienced Antonio Adan as Sporting’s number one though.
Especially when you consider that Adan, formerly of Real and Atletico Madrid, has kept nine clean sheets in 19 games for the reigning Portuguese champions this term.
Has Joao Virginia played his last game for Everton?
“We have a decision to make at the end of the season,” Amorim said of Viriginha.
The Everton-owned glovesman has a £3 million option-to-buy clause in his Sporting contract.
“We need to see him in these games,” adds Amorim, who has been mentioned as a potential replacement for Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds United.
Virginia made a trio of first-team appearances under Carlo Ancelotti at Everton last season, handed his Premier League bow after Jordan Pickford was forced off with an injury during a 2-1 home defeat to Burnley in March.
His summer departure has opened the door for another Finch Farm graduate in the shape of Harry Tyrer.
According to David Unsworth, Everton’s U23 coach, 20-year-old Tyrer trains with Rafa Benitez’s first-team ‘every day’ and ranks alongside Virginia as ‘probably the best goalkeeper we’ve had at this level’.
Tyrer could leave Everton on loan next month in pursuit of opportunities at senior level. Jarrad Branthwaite and Ellis Sims are also expected to have admirers in the Football League.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
