Virginia nears loan exit, but is that a good move for Everton?
Everton goalkeeper Joao Virginia is closing in on a loan move to Reading, but is that a good move for the teenager?
The 19-year old joined Everton from Arsenal last summer, with many fans of the Gunners questioning the London club’s decision to let him go at the time.
A Portugal youth international, Virginia is highly regarded, and his burgeoning reputation led some Everton fans to call for him to become Jordan Pickford’s deputy to this season, preferring him to Maarten Stekelenburg before Jonas Lossl signed on.
However according to getreading, Virginia is closing in on his first loan spell away from Goodison Park, with the starlet tipped to become Royals boss and compatriot Jose Gomes’ first signing of the summer.
There is even a small chance that Virginia could play for the club against Southend United in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Saturday.
In my opinion this wouldn’t just be a good move for Virginia, it would also be a wise business decision for Everton.
Virginia isn’t likely to feature for the first-team next season with Pickford, Stekelenburg and Lossl all ahead of the teenager in the pecking order, meaning the Portuguese shot-stopper would be restricted to youth football if he remains on Merseyside.
If we are to see Virginia’s potential realised, he needs to be getting minutes under his belt as a senior level, and stepping down to the Championship is the perfect way to do so.
Currently Sam Walker is Reading’s only other senior goalkeeper, and while Walker has plenty of League Two experience, he has only managed half of a dozen appearances in the Championship, meaning Virginia could challenge him for a starting berth.
Provided Virginia receives game time for the Royals, I think a loan spell at the Madejski Stadium would be great business all round.