Porto are interested in entering the race to sign Barcelona youngster and Everton target Vitor Roque, according to Mundo Deportivo.

The report (16 August, page 8) suggests that the Portuguese giants have put their attention on Roque after agreeing the £40million sale of Evanilson to Bournemouth.

It comes after it was said that Everton would be willing to pay £29.5 million in order to land the 19-year-old (Sport, 14 August, page 5).

Everton have a status problem

Everyone knows the priority at Everton Football Club right now. The priority is to get a sale of the club done, and recent news indicates that there is cause for optimism. With that being said, they also need to put out a functioning squad on the pitch – and things also seem to be going pretty well in that department too.

Sean Dyche appears to be creating a feeling of confidence at Finch Farm. However, there’s an argument to be made that there’s another big issue on the horizon. That issue would be the stature of the Toffees in comparison to teams like Porto who, previously, would’ve been seen as smaller than them.

Alas, if Roque is looking at his options from a quality standpoint, Porto seem more appealing. They are constantly churning out solid performances in Europe, and they’re consistent domestically.

It does feel like he’d be able to stand out far more at Goodison Park. Still, making a move like that is full of quite a few risks in the present day.

In other Everton news, the Toffees are looking to sign a new defender after a period on trial at Goodison Park over the summer.

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PREMIER LEAGUE

Everton ‘stepping up’ talks to sign Napoli star Jens Cajuste

PREMIER LEAGUEEverton ‘stepping up’ talks to sign Napoli star Jens Cajusteby Max AkpanAugust 16, 2024

Everton are in talks to sign Jens Cajuste from Napoli as Sean Dyche looks to strengthen his midfield options this month, as per TEAMtalk.

Everton recently sold midfield talisman, Amadou Onana to Premier League rivals, Aston Villa and the Toffees are now in the market for a replacement.

Cajuste has emerged as a top target after his proposed move to Brentford collapsed. TEAMtalk reports that Napoli are now trying to secure a move for the Swedish international with executives in the UK to hold talks with interested clubs.

The report adds that Everton are now in ‘active talks’ to sign Cajuste on a possible loan deal as Dyche looks to take the 25-year-old to Goodison Park this month.

Cajuste is keen on playing in the Premier League but Everton could yet face further competition as the report says Brentford still hold an interest in signing the midfielder while Ipswich Town are also eyeing the Swede.

TEAMtalk says Napoli will want to include a buy option into any loan deal, but the 6ft 2in midfielder is valued at just £8m by Transfermarkt, so any permanent deal shouldn’t break the bank.

According to the report, Everton are lining-up alternative options in-case they fail to get a deal for Cajuste over the line. The Toffees have also shown a keen interest in Lesley Ugochuwku with the midfielder set to leave Chelsea this summer.

Ugochuwku has struggled to make an impact at Stamford Bridge since arriving from Rennes last year and Everton could have given him the chance to resurrect his career at Goodison Park.

However, it appears the France U21 international is heading to Southampton on loan, so Everton will need to find another alternative target if they fail to land Cajuste.

Despite having a small budget to spend this summer, Everton have done some good business in signing quality players that’ll strengthen their squad.

They signed highly promising centre-back, Jake O’Brien from Lyon, before 2022-23 Sheffield United player of the season, Ilyman Ndiaye joined from Marseille.

They also completed the permanent signing of Tim Ireogbunam and the loan signing of Jesper Lindstrom from Aston Villa and Napoli respectively.

Adding Cajuste would further strengthen Sean Dyche’s side and present them with a better chance of securing Premier League survival next season.