Gremio will not stand in Everton Soares’s way if the Brazil international wants to leave, vice-president Paulo Luz tells Antena 1 amid reported interest from Newcastle, West Ham and Leicester City.
When star man and captain Neymar was ruled out of the 2019 Copa America days before the tournament began, those Samba-dancing supporters could have been forgiven for assuming Brazil’s 12-year trophy drought was set to continue.
After all, no one really expected Everton Soares to step up to the plate in such explosive style on the left of Tite’s attack.
Not only did the 23-year-old winger end the tournament with a winners’ medal around his neck, he also took home the Golden Boot thanks to a rasping 25-yard stunner in the final victory over Peru.
And, 12 months on, the man who filled Neymar’s boots in spectacular fashion could soon be striking fear into the heart of Premier League full-backs.
“We have always been open to a proposal. For everything he represents and did at the club, if it is also his will to play in Europe, we won’t stop him,” Gremio chief Luz says, in quotes translated by Noticias ao Minuto.
“To balance the budget, and ensure we have a sustainable economic situation, it could be possible that an offer (for Everton) is consistent with our interests.”
AreaNapoli reported last month that Newcastle, Leicester, West Ham and a newly-promoted West Brom side are interested in a £20 million-rated left winger who has been compared to a young Cristiano Ronald by Brazil’s World Cup-winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Carlo Ancelotti also held talks about bringing Everton to, erm, Everton, according to Gremio president Romildo Bolzan (SGLR).
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