If a report from the Italian outlet Solo La Lazio is believed to be true, Everton have made contact with Lazio for Joaquin Correa. The Toffees, however, are not alone in the hunt with Arsenal set to rival them for the Argentine forward. The Gunners have placed a bid in the region of €20m, but the Serie A side have set a valuation of around €35m over a potential summer transfer.
Lazio, known as the notorious negotiators during the transfer time, appointed Maurizio Sarri as the new Biancocelesti chief to replace Simone Inzaghi who left for Inter Milan. The popular Azzurri boss would like to keep hold of his prized assets prior to next season and Correa, with 11 goals and 6 assists this term in 38 appearances, has proved his worth high up the pitch alongside hitman Ciro Immobile.
Everton, meanwhile, are in advanced talks with former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo following Carlo Ancelotti’s exit to take over the high-profile Real Madrid job. A dreadful late run ruined the Blues’ European hopes as they only grabbed a tenth-placed league finish behind newly-promoted Leeds. Nuno has earned massive plaudits for his impact with the Wanderers, but he needs more ammunition in the armoury to meet the objectives at Goodison Park.
Why He Would Be The Main Man Under Nuno
Although the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison have scored plenty of late while spearheading the frontline, the lack of squad depth remains a long-term concern. Cenk Tosun has failed to live up to the hype since his transfer from Besiktas, whereas the club could not utilise Moise Kean to the fullest, who is now being chased by the heavyweights like Paris St-Germain and Juventus. Joshua King has been released as well after an unimpressive stint and the Toffees are in desperate need of an outright attacking option with experience of the highest order.
Correa spent a couple of years in Spain with Sevilla after a promising spell at Sampdoria. But he completed a €16m move to Lazio in the summer of 2018 and soon secured a starting status down the wing. He was later shifted to a more central role and his versatility in the attacking third made him integral to their upsurge under Inzaghi.
Nuno used to field his Wolves side in a 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 set-up with Raúl Jiménez as the ‘number 9’ and Diogo Jota on the left of their three-man attack. Jota was often deployed as a supporting striker while switching to 3-5-2 and the soon-to-be Everton gaffer would have similar flexibility if the Merseysiders rope in Joaquin Correa in the due course of time.
