Barcelona ‘unlikely’ to keep player in summer – Everton interest well established

With the January transfer window now closed, attention turns to the summer and the priority targets for that window. For Everton, that will be finding a right-back.

The position has been something of a problem one for Carlo Ancelotti this season, with him using Mason Holgate in the role while Seamus Coleman has been out.

Indeed, for many, the centre back is a better option than the Republic of Ireland international, who, while still an excellent captain, isn’t quite the level Everton need at this point.

With Jonjoe Kenny likely to be moved on in the summer after being sent out to Celtic in January, it means Marcel Brands needs to find a solution and that man could be Barcelona’s Emerson.

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He has been linked with a move to Goodison since last March, when Everton were reported to have asked about his availability.

This was followed by several reports in the summer that continued to name them as suitors, with it claimed in June that they had made a proposal and then a month later that they were ‘sounding out’ the Catalan giants about a move.

That same month it was claimed that their interest in the right-back was well known and a month later they’d even seen a proposal rejected by Barça.

Ultimately a move never happened, and since that point, there’s been little on the player, who has continued to try and shine while on loan at Real Betis.

Sport, though, have picked up the mantle today and say that it is ‘unlikely’ the player will stay with Barcelona next season.

While he’s been shining with Betis, who own half his rights, Barcelona don’t intend to keep him and would prefer to transfer him and make some money.

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Interest has already reached their offices, with some clubs, ‘especially in the Premier League’ having made it clear they would be keen and Barcelona are eyeing up a €20m sale, €10m of which will have to go to Betis.

The player, for his part, would like to stay and convince Ronald Koeman but if not he will look to move on and make Barça a capital gain on a player who’s yet to wear their colours.

Now, Everton aren’t named specifically, but they have been in the past and €20m, while potentially high for them, would be a bargain price for them to solve a problem position.

It’s also worth considering that they have an excellent relationship with Barcelona after Yerry Mina, Andre Gomes and Lucas Digne joined the club, so there is that to factor in as well.

Indeed, on the face of it, it’s a deal that makes a tonne of sense and one well worth keeping an eye on as the summer rolls around.