Everton have reportedly already moved to bring in Torino centre-back Gleison to Goodison Park amid apparent interest from arch-rivals Liverpool.
The 23-year-old Brazilian has been subject to long-term interest from the Toffees and the Sunday edition of Tuttosport has claimed [via Sport Witness] that both Merseyside clubs are in the running for Gleison amid previous September claims that the Serie A side would be prepared to let the player go.
Revisiting Liverpool’s supposed interest, the outlet claimed that Everton are now leading the race, stating that Ancelotti ‘has already moved’ for the player, and ‘we’re talking about figures around €25m’, which is equivalent to £22.56m.
The newspaper added that ‘it would be difficult to remain calm’ from a Torino perspective were that figure to be agreed upon. That fee would represent approximately five times the sum that Torino paid Atletico Mineiro for the defender two years ago.
The Turin side paid €5.8m (£5.23m) to sign him from Atlético Mineiro and he is now valued by Transfermarkt at only £5.4m – demonstrating little in the way of apparent improvements and impact for his side.
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It seems improbable that Ancelotti would be prepared to spend such a significant outlay on a player who would be seemingly surplus to requirements.
Everton’s 1-0 loss to West Ham saw Seamus Coleman returning to the starting line-up, meaning that Mason Holgate no longer had to deputise at right-back.
Everton boast a wealth of defensive options. Michael Keane, Yerry Mina, Ben Godfrey and Holgate are all natural centre-backs and it would be hard to see Gleison jostling for a place in the team in any meaningful sense. Therefore, the Toffees would be better off holding on to their money for other use.
