Everton and Roma are pushing forward on a deal for defender Wesley, that will see him signed by the Toffees and then loaned to the Italian side.
That’s according to Corriere dello Sport, who report that the ‘synergic operation’ between the two clubs, both owned by the Friedkins, is taking shape.
They explain that the idea was born from the directors of the Giallorossi and the Brazilian defender’s agent. The latter is doing everything to get his client to Europe.
Roma are the most interested, but the plan is to have Everton sign him and then loan him to Roma for two years. The Italians will first attempt to sign him without doing this special arrangement but there is an increasing sense that this is the way to do it.
Wesley has already given his approval to the idea, and it is being worked on to find a solution that suits everyone. Everton have already held initial contact with Flamengo and been told the defender will cost €30m.
The idea is that they do that deal with the Brazilian club and then loan Wesley to Roma, potentially for two years, with an obligation to buy based on ‘the players and the club’s sporting situations’.
It is, in essence, a ploy to avoid having the player’s transfer fee put on Roma’s books for this season at least. They would instead do it next year, or extend his loan by another year.
The question is what Everton gain from it, and Corriere have the answer. They say it is possible that a future percentage on a resale, so a percentage of the future profit, will be handed to Everton.
They also speculate that, as Everton are targeting a return to Europe this season, the deal will benefit them in future. If they were to qualify, they could add an immediate €25-30m from Roma to their books at the start of next summer.
That ‘significant capital gain’ could allow them to attack next summer strongly and they’d also gain a future percentage on any profit from a sale as well. As far as they’re concerned in Italy, the deal is convenient for everyone.
We’d still question that, and it seems to still be a complete disregard for Everton’s PSR situation and the impact a €30m deal will have on that, but as far as Corriere and everyone else in Italy is concerned, it’s happening, and the plan is taking shape.