Newcastle United face a transfer battle with David Beckham as MLS outfit Inter Miami near an £8 million deal for Midtjylland playmaker Evander, as reported by Tuttomercatoweb.
It seems money can’t always guarantee success after all.
Inter Miami coached by Beckham’s fellow Class of 92 graduate Phil Neville have failed to hit the ground running, winning just five of their 18 matches this season despite boasting the talents of World Cup winner Blaise Matuidi, former Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain and, erm, Kieran Gibbs.
But, having found out the hard way that filling your squad with 30-somethings is no short cut to glory, it seems Inter Miami’s latest marquee signing could be a 23-year-old Brazilian whose mind-bending skills and spectacular set-pieces could take American football by storm a la Sebastian Giovinco or Josef Martinez.
Beckham bursts Newcastle dreams as Evander seemingly heads to the MLS
Earlier this week, Homme du Match reported Newcastle United were looking into a late-summer deal for Rio-born Evander.
After firing Midtjylland to the Danish title with nine goals and seven assists last season, the effervescent Evander has also emerged as a target for La Liga champions Atletico Madrid and perennial talent-spotters Monaco.
According to Tuttomercatoweb, however, the former Vasco da Gama starlet is packing his bags and heading for the neon-lit streets of Miami instead.
The Herons are closing in on a deal that would set them back £8 million, with about £6.5 million paid up front.
Moneyball Midtjylland will accept the bid, too, given their transfer policy revolves around signing players on the cheap before selling them on for a profit.
It remains to be seen whether Newcastle come forward with a counter offer, although the long-awaited arrival of Joe Willock on a permanent deal – coupled with Allan Saint-Maximin’s return to full fitness – means Steve Bruce should already have enough creativity and craft at his disposal.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
