Napoli midfielder Allan is ‘very close to closing’ a move away from the club to Everton, although the pair are yet to agree on a fee.
That’s according to Italian journalist Ciro Venerato and newspaper Tuttosport, who provide the latest update on the Brazilian’s future today.
As you’ll be more than aware by now, Everton have long been linked with a move for the midfielder, having first shown an interest in the January transfer.
They couldn’t get him then but have continued their interest into this summer, with reports indicating they are pushing for a move and working on a fee with Napoli.
Reports today indicated they were closer to getting their man too, with both Gazzetta Dello Sport and Corriere Dello Sport saying Allan has made it clear he wants to reunite with Carlo Ancelotti at Goodison Park.
Venerato and Tuttosport have now added their information to the mix, and it seems like more good news for Everton.
First, the journalist, told Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli, relayed by Il Napoli Online, that Allan is “very close to closing” a move away following a “decisive relaunch by Everton”
This is a sentiment shared by Rai Sport journalist Paolo Paganini, who told the same station, relayed by TuttoNapoli, that Everton are “far ahead” for Allan.
Tuttosport back these claims up, sating that ‘there is still the interest of Everton’ in regards to Allan because the player is an ‘express request of Ancelotti’.
However, there is a distance between Everton and Napoli in terms of asking price. The Blues have currently offered €25m upfront, while Napoli want €30m, so that will need to be resolved somewhere.
It’s a small amount, though, so there’s hope. A further bonus for the Toffees is the lack of competition, with Tuttosport also dismissing links to Atlético Madrid.
They emerged as surprise contenders for Allan’s signature last week, but the newspaper says it is ‘unfounded’ and came about as a result of mixed signals.
Reports had claimed that Atlético president Enrique Cerezo had met with Aurelio de Laurentiis in Capri, but this was not the case, it was a man named Idan Ofer who owns 32% of the Spanish club.
But he wasn’t there to discuss transfers. Instead, he had been summoned by De Laurentiis because the Italian wanted to know about the Israeli tycoon’s €40m yacht, while he is also looking for ‘wealthy investors’ to help with his Lega Calcio TV project.
That alone should be good news for Everton, who, given the updates coming out of Italy today, seem to be closing in on the Brazilian’s signature.
