Everton given new hope in pursuit of Lille’s Rafael Leao

Follow us on Google Discover

Everton have been linked with Lille forward Rafael Leao in 2019.

Everton’s hopes of signing Rafael Leao appeared to be dwindling, but they’ve been given a surprise boost this week.

The Toffees first identified Leao as a potential target in March, as the Daily Mail reported that Marcel Brands was eyeing him up for a move to Goodison Park.

In April though, L’Equipe stated that Lille had made Leao completely unavailable, refusing to sell him at any cost, and May saw the Liverpool Echo claim Everton were looking at other targets despite loving Leao.

There seems to be a big story a month about Leao’s future, and the latest surrounds comments made by Lille’s sporting director Luis Campos.

Campos has told O Jogo in Portugal that whilst Lille’s goal is to keep Leao, they understand that they may no longer be able to say no if they receive a huge bid.

“Rafael Leão has a lot of suitors, but it is not our goal to sell him,” said Campos. “The Portuguese team (at the Under-20 World Cup) made a global exhibition that I consider negative, but in my opinion, Rafael was one of those who were better, he was one of those that managed to stand out a little.”

“If he’s here, better, but if he’s in a different club, that’s fine. Our idea is to keep him here, but if there are irrefutable proposals, we can not say no,” he added.

Lille appear to be hinting at softening their stance on Leao, and that should be the window of opportunity Brands and co have been looking for in pursuit of the 20-year-old.

Leao hit eight goals in his first season at Lille last term, again showing what he’s considered as one of the top young attackers in Europe having joined from Sporting last summer.

Marco Silva may well know of Leao from his time at Sporting too, even if the striker was just a kid in the setup at that point, and there’s no doubting that Everton need a striker this summer.

Landing a top young talent like Leao would be ideal, and having seemingly felt that Leao was unattainable, Everton should now take Campos’ hint at a U-turn on Leao’s future and make their move.