Everton look like the frontrunners now in signing one of La Liga’s most exciting prospect, Sandro Ramirez, from Malaga CF as reports claim that the Merseyside club have given their Dutch manager, Ronald Koeman, the green light to start talks with the forward.
The Malaga forward has been under Everton’s scanner for quite some time now with former Leicester City’s Scouting staff Steve Walsh, keeping close tabs on his movements. Koeman was known to visit Spain with Walsh to watch him play and is quite pleased with what he saw. And if reports are to believed, Ramirez would cost Koeman as less as £5 million.
Everton could lose star forwards Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley at the end of the season after some brilliant displays from the duo in the second half of the season. Both the players have stalled contract talks for the moment and would be willing to wait for the offers in the summer before committing their futures to the club. It hasn’t gone down with Koeman very nicely it seems and he is already on his way to find replacements.
Lukaku was really blessed to enjoy an injury-free season this term and if Everton manage to retain his services next season, their Europa League commitments next season would demand a solid bench. And Ramirez looks like the perfect fit into Everton’s attacking setup.
An academy product of Las Palmas, Ramirez joined Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy in 2009. He made his way up through the ranks of the La Liga giants before the Catalans decided to dispose of him last summer to Malaga. But, he has earned some rave reviews from the club with many comparing him to David Villa.
A centre-forward by nature, Ramirez can play on either flank. In his 28 league outings so far with Malaga, he has scored 14 goals and assisted four times. He is now touted as the next big thing in Spain with a sharp nose for goals and sublime movements, which helps him to be in the right place at the right time.
Everton will definitely be a step up for the 21-year-old, as he would get to showcase his talent in the Europa League. And under a coach like Koeman, who too has Barcelona’s DNA ingrained in him, Ramirez is bound to flourish.
Ramirez’s contract with Malaga expires in 2019 and after this prolific season, the club is well aware of his possible departure soon. Malaga boss Michel said, “Sandro is in demand. We cannot keep him if he doesn’t want to continue. He is crucial, but so are others. We can’t do anything more than all the efforts we have made, and all we have to do is wait for his decision.”
