Everton sold John Stones this summer, and with an ageing back-line, will be looking to inject some youth into their defensive ranks.
Ruben Semedo in action
Reports emanating from Italy today suggest that Everton are keeping tabs on Sporting Lisbon’s young defender Ruben Semedo, according to Italian media outlet CalcioMercato.
The 22-year-old Portugal under-21 star has spent his entire career at Sporting, and is highly rated amongst the European football community.
He is versatile, and is equally as comfortable playing in a defensive midfield role as he is in central defence.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman
The report from CalcioMercato claims that Semedo has a €45 million (£40.2 million) release clause inserted into his contract wth the Portuguese giants, and it is unclear whether the Toffees would be prepared to stretch to that sort of fee for someone so young and unproven in the English game.
With Semedo’s contract not expiring until 2022, Sporting will be in no rush to sell the youngster, and subsequently, it will most likely take a bid that matches his release clause in order to prise him away from the Portuguese club.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman
Ronald Koeman has already significantly strengthened the Everton squad since his arrival in the summer, and if they were to sign Semedo, it would be further evidence of their ambition to bring Europe’s best young players to Goodison Park.
Ruben Semedo
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