Director said Everton wanted £10m man; Now contract’s been terminated

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If Marcel Brands was still in situ at Goodison Park, Santiago Arias might already have been an Everton player.  

The former Toffees director signed the Colombia international at PSV Eindhoven – hailing his ‘power, pace’ and swashbuckling, lung-busting style – before attempting to spark a reunion at Goodison Park a couple of years down the line. 

“We’re talking to Everton (about Arias),” Andrea Berta, Atletico Madrid’s sporting director, told Kicker during the summer of 2020. 

Now, with Brands long gone – departing in December citing a ‘clear difference in vision and direction’ with the rest of the Everton board – Arias’ sudden availability is unlikely to get quite so many tongues wagging on the blue side of Stanley Park. 

Santiago Arias leaves Atletico Madrid; But is Everton still an option?

According to Marca, 2021 La Liga winners Atletico have agreed to terminate Arias’ contract. The £10 million forgotten man has not made a single appearance under Diego Simeone since the 2019/20 season; A loan spell at Granada last term ruined by a troublesome hamstring injury. 

And the £18 million signing of Argentine international Nahuel Molina from Udinese – one of the most productive attacking right-backs in the game – was always likely to be the final nail in Arias’ Wanda Metropolitano coffin. A parting of the ways feels like the best – if not the only – solution. 

Where Arias ends up next, however, remains to be seen. How many offers will a 30-year-old, injury-prone full-back receive? One who hasn’t played for his parent club for two years?

The chances of Everton renewing their interest – in the post-Brands era – certainly feel slim. Nathan Patterson might still have a lot to learn. But his exciting performance in the opening day defeat to Chelsea certainly suggests that the £16 million signing from Rangers is ready to make his mark this side of Hadrian’s Wall. 

Patterson’s agent, in July, rubbished claims that Everton are planning to loan Patterson out this season. And while fellow right-back Seamus Coleman is not quite the same irrepressible force of old, there is life in this old dog yet.  

Two years ago, Santiago Arias seemed a sensible, potentially inspired addition for an Everton side dancing to Marcel Brands’ tune. Now, with Frank Lampard and Kevin Thelwell bringing their own musical stylings to Merseyside, the soon-to-be free-agent feels like a target from a bygone era.