Everton striker Beto is Torino’s ‘first choice’ to reinforce their attack in the January transfer window, but a loan deal will cost €7m.
That’s according to Tuttosport, who say the Everton striker is at the top of the Italian’s wish list as director of football Davide Vagnati ‘chases a bomber’.
The newspaper reports that Vagnati is ‘back on the move’ for the 26-year-old striker, who has remained on the fringes at Everton under Sean Dyche this season.
He is seen as an ideal signing by Torino as he has characteristics similar to those of Duvan Zapata, knows Italian and is experienced in Serie A after two years playing at Udinese.
He’s also shown a willingness to return to Italy and his age make him the ‘first choice’ for those in charge at the Italian club. They’re currently evaluating a range of profiles who are being ‘probed’ at this point, but Beto is in first place.
The big issue will be the cost involved as Everton want €3-4m for a loan move until the end of the season and for the striker’s wages to be covered in full as well. Adding his salary would put the figure up to €7m for the loan. That’s almost all of Torino’s budget for the January window.
It would be a big gamble, but the fear is another club comes in and trumps them to the move, with efforts now being made to convince Everton that Torino are the ideal option.