Discussions are now underway for Everton to bring another new face to Goodison Park – after already making four additions this summer.
Kevin Thelwell – Director of Football at Everton – has been busy this summer, striking agreements for Tim Iroegbunam, Jesper Lindstrom, Jake O’Brien and Iliman Ndiaye, while also selling Amadou Onana, Ben Godfrey and Lewis Dobbin.
So, who could now join the aforementioned quartet at Everton as talks begin? Let’s take a look…
Everton in talks to sign Arthur Melo
A story from Tuttosport now claims that ‘discussions are underway’ for Everton to sign Arthur Melo.
The Italian news outlet believe Juventus are keen to offload the Brazilian – who they signed from Barcelona in a £72.5m deal back in June 2020 – as Thiago Motta aims to streamline his squad this summer.
Tuttosport add that Leicester are also keen to sign Arthur – who has already entered the final 24 months of his contract in Turin.
The South American spent the 2023/24 campaign on loan at Fiorentina, having previously been on loan at Liverpool in the 2022/23 season, where he made just one appearance for the Reds.
Despite that, Jurgen Klopp did call Arthur an “exciting” player, and that stint at Anfield could lead the Brazilian to pick Everton over Leicester, seeing as he is familiar with Merseyside.
A separate story from Tuttosport adds that Juventus want £12.5m to sell Arthur this summer.
Sean Dyche could sign a passing expert
Sean Dyche’s tactical setup is not typically associated with patient buildup play and possession football, as the 53-year-old seems more focused on coaching a strong defensive foundation, crosses into the box and set-pieces.
However, the 27-year-old could help to bring more of a tika-taka ethos to Goodison Park.
Arthur has previously been compared to Xavi by Lionel Messi of all people, with the Argentina international telling Marca: “He is very similar to Xavi as he likes to have the ball, play short, not lose it and is very solid.”
Furthermore, the man from Goiânia is statistically one of the best passers in Europe, with FBref showing that he impressively ranks in the top 4% for pass completion in Europe’s top five leagues.
Arthur also sits in the top 24% for progressive passes, so he is not just a boring, sideways passer of the ball by any means.
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Be sure to keep an eye on this situation, as Everton and Juventus hold talks over a potential deal.