It seems Atletico Madrid have been the biggest sufferers this transfer season as they saw their second striking target joining yet another club as they sit helplessly serving their transfer ban for breaching the rules. With reports already emerging of Arsenal finalising a deal for AS Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette, who had apparently almost agreed on personal terms with the La Liga side previously, now yet another Premier League side, Everton, have snapped up their second priority.
According to reports, The Toffees have agreed on a deal with Malaga CF striker Sandro Ramirez on a five-year-deal. The Merseyside club is believed to have made the release clause of the 21-year-old, which is believed to be around £5.25 million.
This deal takes Everton’s transfer expenditure to a whopping £60 million already. Koeman is in dire need of attacking reinforcements this summer as he, in all possibility, would be starting next season without the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley. While the Belgian has already been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea, Barkley has stalled contract talks aiming for a big move this summer.
After repeated negotiations, both the club and the manager are now convinced that they are unwilling to extend their stay at Goodison Park. The club has slapped enormous price tags on the duo hoping to keep away most of their suitors. And although they are yet to move out, Koeman is leaving nothing to chance.
Sandro Ramirez broke into the limelight last season itself as the young striker managed to get 14 goals and four assists in 28 appearances for the La Liga side. Although in terms of physique, Ramirez isn’t a like for like replacement for Lukaku, the Las Palmas-born player possesses superior technique and brilliant finesse in and around the D-box.
At 175cm, he would surely need some time adapting to the rigorous playing style of the Premier League but his phenomenal pace and dribbling skills should more than compensate for that. A centre-forward by nature, Ramirez can also play on the flanks which make him a desperate addition on the right flank until Aaron Lennon and Yannick Bolasie returns next season.
His brilliant link-up play could come in extremely handy with the likes of Davy Klaassen and Tom Davies behind him and Everton definitely look like a top four contender next season.
An academy product of Las Palmas, Ramirez caught Barcelona’ eyes as early as in 2009. While his development was fast in La Masia academy, where he broke through the ranks smoothly, he found it difficult to break into Barca’s first team. Now with Europa League a platform to showcase his mettle prior to the World Cup, he isn’t letting this chance go.
