Everton are set to go head-to-head with arch-rivals Liverpool over the potential signature of Torino centre-back Gleison Bremer, according to the Liverpool Echo.
It was previously reported that Everton were a primary suitor for the Serie A talent, with Carlo Ancelotti said to be a notable admirer. He had watched the player back when the experienced coach was in charge at Italian giants Napoli and remained keen on a move for Bremer when Ancelotti made the switch to England.
Merseyside rivals Liverpool are also interested in the player as a bargain buy ahead of the January winter window. The Reds have suffered something of a defensive injury crisis as of late; Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho and Joe Gomez are just some of the notable faces in Jurgen Klopp’s squad who are expected to be out for varying long-term periods.
This has only exacerbated the propensity for the Reds to show an interest in Bremer. The Brazilian defender could be available in a cut-price deal, with Transfermarkt valuing the 23-year-old at just £4.5m.
Carlo Ancelotti’s system and the transfer policy at Everton may well align with Bremer’s attributes. He is adept at playing out from the back as a ball-playing defender and has averaged 2.3 tackles and 2.7 interceptions per game in the 2019/20 season, as per WhoScored.
The Liverpool Echo had identified Ben Godfrey as part of a push to sign young defenders in an ageing position, and Bremer will fit that agenda given his youthful age.
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Bremer may well prove to be a good acquisition for the Blues if they can sign him, despite a lack of urgency compared to the Toffees’ arch-rivals.
Bremer is a progressive defender who still retains good potential to improve. Under the tutelage of Ancelotti, he could soon find himself competing for a regular place in the starting XI as his game evolves.
However, any bidding war with Liverpool runs the risk of turning into a largely fruitless affair; the Toffees possess good depth at centre-back and it would be ill-advised to overspend in a strongly reinforced position.
