Everton are set to revive their interest in Udinese ace Beto in the summer sales. His Serie A side are also open to a transfer and have a replacement in mind in M’Bala Nzola of Spezia.
That is according to Tutto Udinese, which reports Everton continue to scout Beto closely in view of a transfer. The Toffees admired what the 25-year-old could bring to Goodison Park this January. But the Merseyside club are not the only Premier League side interested now.
Beto has a wealth of English suitors after scoring seven goals in 22 Italian top-flight outings so far this season. He has also laid on one assist but has only hit the back of the net once in the Portuguese’s last nine games. He has further only scored twice over his last 14 games.
So, Udinese are now receptive to selling Beto as they believe he can still demand €25-30m (£22-26.5m). His departure for a fee in that region would also let Bianconeri chiefs make a move for Nzola. Although no discussions over either striker’s futures will occur this season.
Dacia Arena chiefs want to wait until the summer to test the water for Nzola and consider Beto’s situation fully. Yet a move to Udine should appeal to the Spezia star as he has long-eyed a new challenge. The 26-year-old has scored nine goals in 18 league games this term.
Everton refused to meet Udinese’s asking price for Beto’s transfer in January
Everton director of football Kevin Thelwell led the Merseyside natives’ efforts to secure a January transfer for Beto of Udinese. That is according to the Mirror, which reported the Toffees chief considered the Lisbon-born forward to be their top target on deadline day.
But Thelwell pulled the plug on a transfer for Beto as Everton refused to pay Udinese the £35m demanded. The Bianconeri pointed the Goodison outfit to the release clause in the forward’s contract running to June 2026. He only put pen to paper on the terms last July.
Everton wanted to pay Udinese an initial £20m, plus £3m in add-ons, and submitted the offer for Beto’s transfer. But the £12m gap in valuations ruled out a move in January. Yet the forward’s dwindling form has now seen Dacia Arena chiefs move close to the Toffes’ offer.
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