According to Fox Sports Brazil, as cited by Calciomercato, Arsenal are on the verge of securing a deal for Gremio striker Everton Soares. It is believed that the Gunners have already agreed a €28 million transfer for the Brazilian international, with additional €12 million in performance-based bonuses. They have also sent doctors to test the medical situation of the winger.
Meanwhile, here are the pros and cons of Everton’s potential switch to Emirates this summer.
Pros
Everton has impressed the onlookers with his fiery performances in the Brazilian Serie A. During his five-year spell with the Gremio first-team, the winger has netted an impressive 38 goals and provided ten assists in 148 matches across all competitions. Ten of those goals came in the 2018 edition of the Serie A as the 23-year-old helped the club achieve a fourth-place finish in the league.
Everton has also starred for Brazil in their Copa America triumph earlier this summer. He ended the coveted competition as the joint top goalscorer with three goals in six matches. And he has achieved all this at the age of 23, which is indicative of his immense potential.
He is an explosive winger, who can turn out to be an asset for Arsenal. The Gunners have lacked the presence of a dynamic wide-attacker since the departure of Alexis Sanchez at the start of last year. Everton, to that end, could fill in the gap left by the Chilean international.
Furthermore, his knack for scoring goals could add more bite to the Arsenal attack that already boast the services of two potent attackers in the shape of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette. Hence, the Brazilian is indeed a sensible option for the Gunners.
Cons
On the flip side, however, Everton has no experience of playing in European football, despite having played five years in the Brazilian top flight.
Many South American players in the past have struggled to cope with the highly tactical and fast-paced nature of the Premier League. The 23-year-old could well be the next one – given his flashy style of play on the flanks.
Malcom, in that regard, could have been a better option as he had already shone in Ligue 1 before moving to Barcelona last summer.
Although one would argue that Everton will be a cost-effective option for Arsenal in terms of wages, he is a risky option nonetheless. This is a risk Unai Emery can’t afford to take right now as he attempts to operate with minimal transfer budget this summer.
