Everton have contacted Barcelona to ask about youngster Emerson, who looks likely to leave the Nou Camp this summer.
The Brazilian is currently in the first year of a two-year loan at Real Betis, having rejoined the club after sealing a £10.8m move to the club last summer.
He has impressed with his performances so far, managing three goals and five assists in 24 games in all competitions.
According to Sport, Barça are pleased with his development but believe he still lacks what is required to be a first-team player at the club.
Thus they plan to either leave him at Betis for another year or, preferably, sell him to one of his suitors as they believe they can get a ‘great return’ on their investment, as they did with Marlon and Yerry Mina.
They believe they are well-stocked at right-back, with faith remaining in Sergi Roberto and a player likely to be signed to replace Nélson Semedo.
Thus they are happy to sell to one of his suitors and, according to the newspaper, Everton are among them.
They have reportedly ‘asked’ about the 21-year-old’s availability, although they are yet to put forward an ‘official proposal’. Barcelona, for their part, look likely to ask for a fee of around €20m.
The Spanish club are now waiting for a ‘definitive offer’ to arrive, and it would not be surprising if one did come from Goodison Park.
Everton are in desperate need of a new right-back to replace Seamus Coleman, and there are plenty of doubts about signing Djibril Sidibé permanently.
Emerson would not cost much more than the price the Blues have agreed for that deal to happen and, at 21 years of age, he fits perfectly into the type of player Marcel Brands wants to sign, namely young with plenty of development left.
Everton and Barcelona also have a good relationship after the deals for Mina and Lucas Digne, and if Barça wanted to retain a right to Emerson in future, it’s easy to imagine that’s something the Blues would accommodate as well.
