Previously a key member of the Ajax Amsterdam squad, scoring 14 goals and assisting another 14 in 32 Eredivisie appearances back in 2017-18, David Neres is finding life a lot tougher of late in Holland.
Used only sporadically in the starting line-up by Erik Ten Hag, the Brazilian has just three starts to his name in the league this season, with 12 other appearances from the bench, which has caused a few clubs to be interested in saving him.
Everton are reportedly one of those, as Jeunes Footeux in France claim they and Newcastle United are keen to sign the 24-year-old.
A new right-winger is needed at Goodison Park, so Neres being linked with a move to the Toffees isn’t all that surprising, especially since he also plays in Holland, which is the favourite stomping ground of their former director of football, Marcel Brands.
The French website explain that Newcastle and ‘especially Everton’ are ‘interested’ in the forward, who will cost any interested club more than €15m.
That’s because Shakhtar Donetsk, who were labelled the favourites to sign him by De Telegraaf journalist Mike Verweij, relayed by SoccerNews, have had a bid of that amount rejected by Ajax.
That’s according to UOL Deportes in Brazil, who report the news on Monday, reporting that the Dutch side have ‘ruled out the young Brazilian forward’s departure for €15m’.
They value him at ‘at least €20m’, but ‘a sale in now expected in the winter transfer market in Europe’, with the player ‘kept on Ajax’s negotiable list’ for now.
Everton and Newcastle, if they are interested, will need to move quickly, though, as the Ukrainian club ‘continues to try to push the deal’.
Time for Eddie Howe and Rafa Benitez to get cracking.
