According to latest reports, Everton are expected to be beaten by either AS Roma or Inter Milan to the final signature of FC Porto winger, Yacine Brahimi. The Portuguese outfit are prepared to sell him for €25m-€30m this very summer instead of the €60m release clause he has in his current contract.
Everton do have the financial pedigree to go after the 28-year-old but it seems like the Serie A sides have better prospects to offer. Both Roma and Milan are pegged to make a run for the Italian top-flight title whereas the Toffees are coming off a disappointing Premier League campaign in which they placed 8th.
Farhad Moshiri has done away with Sam Allardyce after the Englishman failed to secure one of the European qualification spots or hold down a winning run. Now the Merseyside outfit has Marco Silva taking over the reigns at Goodison Park and has also sanctioned a huge transfer budget for the summer transfer window.
Last season’s near-£200m investments did not bear great results and will need to be followed up by a more competent scouting process. Brahimi is a top-pedigree talent who could bring around some change to the club.
The Paris-born attacker started his playing career with the illustrious Saint Etienne academy. He developed his game within the walls of the prestigious Clairefontaine academy on the weekdays and represented Vincennes.
Brahimi appeared in 53 games for the French youth sides, ranging from the U16s to the U21s and even scored 16 goals. Born of Algerian roots, the 28-year-old switched his allegiance to the African nation and so far racked up 39 caps and 11 goals.
Previously he spent time in the La Liga with Granada and made 64 appearances, scoring 3 and setting up 5 assists. After a successful loan spell in Spain, the attacker signed permanently due to a lack of first-team opportunities at Rennes.
He has now turned himself a quality wide man with all the right traits of succeeding at an elite level. Brahimi can dribble and beat defenders with his pace. He has a keen scoring eye as evident from his 12 goals for Porto this season while also furthering 10 assists.
The former Clermont player has actual experience of playing in the Champions League and is within the final 12 months of his contract. Obtaining him would have been an answer to the misfiring Yannick Bolasie.
The Toffees are short in the wing department with just Bolasie, Theo Walcott and Nikola Vlasic in the squad. Losing out on Brahimi could cost them in the upcoming season.
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However, there are alternate options in the current market which Silva can pursue.
