Everton have rejected a whopping £85million bid from Barcelona for Richarlison, according to Sky Sports News.
The report claims that Everton rejected the offer immediately, as the Toffees are unwilling to sell one of their prized assets as they are looking to strengthen their squad this month, not deplete it.
Alan Myers reports on Twitter that Barcelona are on the hunt for a striker this month, and having missing out on Valencia’s Rodrigo, they decided to make an offer for Richarlison, who they had tentatively enquired about in the summer.
That fee would have been a significant profit on the £40million that Everton paid Watford for the Brazil international in 2018.
Read Everton Verdict
I’m delighted to see Everton have rejected Barcelona’s offer, and while neutral fans may see that decision as lunacy, it says to me that the club are serious about their plans for the future.
Everton did not appoint Carlo Ancelotti only to sell off his best assets in his first transfer window, and with the club having little time to replace a player who has proven to be so important anyway, it would have been ludicrous for the Blues to have even entertained an offer.
Richarlison may have only scored eight goals in the Premier League this season (WhoScored), but with Everton have failed to win in their last two games, the only two league games that Richarlison has missed this season (Transfermarkt), while looking noticeably flat in their style of play in the process, it is clear to see how the forward influences the club through his positive energy and his determination on the field.
Everton went through a situation with Romelu Lukaku a few seasons ago, and their eventual decision to sell the Belgian frontman, while financially beneficial, proved detrimental as the forward still hasn’t been replaced to this day. Unless Everton are in dire straights financially, they should be wary about doing so again, and as such it must be seen as a positive that Everton are both determined and willing to defend their star players from interested parties.
