£17m ace would pick Arsenal over Everton, wants Champions League

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Udinese defender Rodrigo Becao wants to play in the Champions League next season with Messaggero Veneto handing Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur a clear advantage over struggling Everton. 

For the most part, James Tarkowski and Conor Coady have formed a fairly reliable partnership at the heart of Frank Lampard’s Toffees backline. Beyond the two England internationals, however, there remains a worrying lack of depth; Everton’s defensive options as thin as the plot of a Netflix thriller.

Michael Keane, Yerry Mina and Mason Holgate endured a disastrous evening in that 4-1 EFL Cup thrashing at Bournemouth. Two of the aforementioned trio – Keane and Mina – could be shown the door in 2023 as well, thus forcing Everton into the market for replacements. 

The £17 million-rated Becao, however, appears to be setting his sights higher than Goodison Park. 

Everton, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur like Udinese’s Rodrigo Becao

Italian publication Messaggero Veneto say that Becao is ‘more attracted by the idea of playing in the Champions League next year than (in) the Premier League with Everton’. A Napoli side cruising at the top of Serie A are now in pole position for the Brazilian’s signature. 

And do not discount Arsenal or Tottenham (TuttoUdinese). On current form, Arsenal look certain to be gracing Europe’s greatest stage for the first time in six years. Tottenham, meanwhile, could also secure Champions League qualification; heading into the World Cup break fourth in the table. 

Becao also looks perfectly suited to Antonio Conte’s three-at-the-back system. Aggressive and front-foot, the 26-year-old man mountain is thriving in a similar set-up at Udinese. 

“Rodrigo is a player we would like to keep with us and consolidate in our team,” explains La Zebrette director Pierpaolo Marino. “We have an excellent relationship with him. We will try to do something in line with Udinese.”  

Retaining Becao’s services may be easier said than done. His contract expires in 2024. And the former CSKA Moscow loanee appears to have little interest in signing a new deal.