Europa League side are now planning for £33m Everton target’s exit

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Real Betis are already identifying potential replacements for Guido Rodriguez as Everton look to bring the La Liga enforcer to the Premier League, as reported by Spanish publication Sport. 

Is this a classic case of ‘better the devil you know’? Or should Everton be a little braver, and take a punt on a more expensive solution to their defensive midfield problem?

Fabrizio Romano set tongues wagging and eyebrows raising on Merseyside when he broke the news of Everton’s interest in one Idrissa Gana Gueye. The former Goodison Park favourite could be on his way back to familiar surroundings after falling out of favour at Paris Saint-Germain. 

Idrissa Gueye or Guido Rodriguez for Everton?

Now, Gueye is proven in the Premier League. Proven at Everton too. And he won’t break the bank, with less than 12 months remaining on his PSG contract. 

Guido Rodriguez, in contrast, had spent the entirety of his career on the other side of the Atlantic before joining Betis from Club America in 2020. Los Verdiblancos are demanding around £33 million too. After splashing out £20 million on Dwight McNeil, it remains to be seen if Everton have the funds for another big-money addition. 

On the plus side, Rodriguez is four years Gueye’s junior, and would therefore represent more of a long-term solution. What’s more, no player in La Liga averaged more than his three successful tackles per 90 minutes in 2021/22 (WhoScored). 

Everton, Sport claim, have made an approach, though they are yet to submit a ‘formal offer’. Estadio Deportivo back up these reports. 

And it Betis are already preparing for the worst-case scenario. Getafe’s £15 million-rated Uruguay international Mauro Arambarri will be the first choice target if Rodriguez does depart; The process of identifying replacements already very much underway.

After a sluggish start to the window, Everton have tripled their number of signings in the space of 24 hours. McNeil arrived on Thursday, joining Ruben Vinagre and James Tarkowski.