The versatile right-back could be on his way out of Barcelona in January and Everton are almost certainly in with a shout.
New Everton investor Moshiri
Farhad Moshiri’s purchase of a controlling stake in Everton has left the Toffees stronger than they ever have been from an off-the-field perspective.
Yet despite this, the Merseyside club endured a somewhat underwhelming first transfer window under the British-Iranian’s rein.
Perhaps it was a little premature, however, to expect immediate additions of the marquee variety – especially with an overhaul of the club’s management structure taking precedence.
With the new framework now in place – Ronald Koeman in charge of first-team affairs and Steve Walsh there to pass on his recommendations – Everton supporters are likely to find future windows more exciting than the last.
And one player who could start the ball rolling is Barcelona’s Aleix Vidal. The versatile right-sider has reportedly been told he can leave the Camp Nou in January, a mere 18 months after his arrival from Sevilla, and has quickly been linked with a £13 million move to Sunderland.
Barcelona’s Vidal
You would think, however, that if they wanted him, Everton would have a far better chance of landing Vidal, given their stature, and the fact that Koeman spent six years a Barca player – later going on to coach at the Camp Nou.
Vidal also has a long-standing friendship with Everton’s Gerard Deulofeu, with whom he played during the winger’s season on loan Sevilla, and recently enjoyed dinner with his former teammate – an event he recorded on Instagram.
Everton’s handling of Deulofeu, who was previously loaned by Barca to Goodison Park before returning on a permanent basis last summer, may also work in the Toffees’ favour if, as Sport suggests, the Catalans prefer a temporary switch.
With Seamus Coleman again being linked with a move to Manchester United – and said to be in decline by some Everton supporters – a move for Vidal would certainly make sense, even if it’s to bolster their wide attacking ranks instead.
Everton’s Coleman
Though there’s been no official link as yet, it’s surely only a matter of time until a player of Vidal’s calibre moves to Goodison Park.
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