Barcelona have Everton star Richarlison as a top target for the summer window, according to reports from Brazil this Friday.
Newspaper O Globo claims that the Catalan side have sent emissaries to watch the player.
Two of them were Toffees’ games in the Premier League. One against Manchester United and the other against Chelsea, and the striker scored in both. They’ve also scouted him in Brazil’s games against Cameroon, Panama and Czech Republic.
There were other attackers on Barcelona’s list. Antoine Griezmann was the main one, but Barça were afraid of how he’d fit with Lionel Messi in the team and concerned over the cost of a move.
The club want a more flexible option and Juka Jovic and Maxi Gomez were also considered, but it’s Richarlison who took the lead.
It’s said that Barça were impressed with the Brazilian, considering that he’s a good fit for their attack, with strength features which remind them of Luis Suarez.
O Globo claims that besides sending scouts, Barcelona also approached both Everton and the player’s agents to know more about the possibility of a deal.
The newspaper says there are no official bids so far. Everton would be demanding twice the amount of £45m they’ve paid to sign him from Watford, and Barcelona have shown the will to spend £65m.
Richarlison himself ‘sees the move with good eyes’, but is focused on Everton while he waits for things to develop.
O Globo are one of the most important newspapers in Brazil, and have no reason to get involved in exclusive transfer stories unless they really know something about it. So this is one to keep an eye on.
That said, this could well be coming from representatives (not his direct agent) trying to build up the idea of a big swoop.
In Spain and France, the idea of Griezmann moving to Barça has been building in recent days.
