Gremio’s Everton Cebolinha has been on the Napoli and Everton radar for a while now.
Carlo Ancelotti has been an admirer of the 24-year-old and he wanted to take the Brazilian to the Serie A side. He has maintained interest in the player for the Toffees.
Earlier this month, Gremio president Romildo Bolzan confirmed to the local press that Ancelotti had called Everton, and Bolzan even expressed his delight the attacker’s transfer to Europe never took shape.
Romildo Bolzan Jr has now given an interview to the editorial staff of Si Gonfia la Rete and Area Napoli have relayed those comments.
The club chief revealed the former Chelsea manager is an admirer of the attacker while confirming Napoli’s interest in Everton.
“The truth is that last summer, Everton’s representative told me that he had a proposal from Napoli in his hands, where Ancelotti was there, who was his great admirer. But then from Naples to Gremio, in the end nothing official ever came,” he said.
When further quizzed if there was an offer from Ancelotti’s side, Romildo Bolzan said: “There had been some contacts, mainly with the player. Ancelotti himself had contacted him.
“However, Everton withdrew even before making a real offer. From what I was told, it was because of some financial issues at that stage. We’ll see if they try to resume the discussion in the future…”
The Gremio chief even sent a message to those clubs who intend to sign Everton.
“Everton has a €80m termination clause. Clearly, we know that’s very high and we do not intend to clip the boy’s wings, therefore we are willing to negotiate if he expresses his will to move to that particular club,” Romildo Bolzan stressed.
“To start a negotiation, however, it takes a basic offer. We are also ready to evaluate lower figures than that of the clause, also because, as I said I am aware the Coronavirus crisis will change the market, but you cannot start a negotiation unless you first come forward with an official proposal, and an official proposal for Everton, I repeat, it never came.”
