Everton are at the heart of a European goalkeeping roundabout, as explained by sports journalist Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) on Twitter.
The Toffees’ part concerns young shot-stopper Joao Virginia, who looks set to join Portuguese side Sporting on an initial loan, with Sporting retaining an option to buy for €3.5 million.
Everton and Sporting will reportedly split Virginia’s wages during the loan spell.
From Sporting’s perspective, they are in need of goalkeeping reinforcements. Young Portuguese prospect Luis Maximiano has joined Granada on a four-year deal, in turn replacing his compatriot Rui Silva who has joined Real Betis on a free transfer.
As a result, the Everton youngster fills a missing piece in an Iberian transfer merry-go-round, with Asmir Begovic coming in during the summer as a deputy for Jordan Pickford.
Consequentially, Virginia looked to be increasingly redundant on the Toffees’ books, having struggled to break into Everton starting XIs.
A separate Tweet from Lowy explains the full extent of goalkeeping transfers that have been occurring in relation to one-another across European markets.
Twitter: Rui Silva
Real Betis
Luís Maximiano
João Virgínia
Asmir Begović
Antonio Ad… https://t.co/kNWHRDMXYa (@ZachLowy)
Read Everton Verdict
Virginia has only featured for Everton three times at a senior level, keeping two clean sheets and conceding as many goals in those outings.
Mostly featuring at youth level, it appears Rafa Benitez is viewing Virginia as an outcast.
A loan with an option to buy seems to be a sensible means for Virginia to develop in his home country, with the prospect of the club commanding a healthy fee for a peripheral asset.
