Everton’s Beto is a potential option for Bologna as they look to sign a replacement for Joshua Zirkzee, but only if he is available on loan.
That’s according to Corriere di Bologna, who say the striker is a ‘hypothesis’ being worked on by the Italians at this moment in time.
The newspaper explains that Bologna need to move after selling Zirkzee to Manchester United and while their current focus is on Fotis Ioannidis at Panathinaikos, they are exploring other ideas.
Beto is one of them, with a belief that he could be ‘released’ by Everton on loan with the right to buy included in the deal. That’s an idea that has gained ‘traction’ recently.
They potentially like the striker as he has already played and impressed with Udinese in Italy and ‘did not convince’ at Everton last season, potentially opening the door for a deal to be done.
Sport Italia journalist Gianluigi Longari backs this up, reporting similar details but stating that Beto has been ‘proposed’ to Bologna.
“Bologna is looking for a striker,” he wrote on X.
“Among the options proposed there is also the name of Beto from Everton. He is interesting because he has already played in Italy and is not a permanent starter with the Toffees.”
On the face of it, though, a loan deal makes no sense for Everton given they’ve only started paying for him this summer.
A permanent exit would at least cover the costs they’ve already incurred, and perhaps a loan with a mandatory clause if they did want rid, but one with an option would achieve nothing.
Also, while Beto was not a starter last season there is every chance that changes this year given all indications are that Dominic Calvert-Lewin wishes to leave and won’t be signing a new contract at Goodison Park.
It seems unlikely Everton will sell him and let Beto leave on loan to leave themselves with nothing up front but youngster Youssef Chermiti.
Instead, this feels more like an agent putting the feelers out and seeing what might be available, perhaps aided by Beto’s relative lack of minutes last year.
