According to Sky Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio, Bayer Leverkusen are set to beat Everton to the signing of Atletico Madrid right back Santiago Arias.
It’s claimed that Everton wanted to sign Arias, given that he was a target for Carlo Ancelotti at Napoli in the past.
Add in that Marcel Brands signed Arias for PSV Eindhoven in 2013, and it’s no great shock that Everton were keen on signing the 28-year-old.
However, it’s now stated that Arias is instead heading to Germany, as Bayer Leverkusen are on the verge of finalising his arrival.
The Colombian is set to head to Germany, where he could play as a right-wing back in Peter Bosz’s 3-4-2-1’s system at Leverkusen.
The news will be a blow for Everton, who may well have been hoping to bring in Arias as competition for Seamus Coleman.
He knows James Rodriguez from international duty with Colombia, and that could have helped them strike up a partnership down the right flank.
Now though, Everton will seemingly have to look elsewhere if they want a new right back, barring a late turn of events.
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