Report: Everton Target, Also Sought by Newcastle United, Open to Goodison Park Move
Now, following a summer where three new signings have already been secured and many more are expected, Everton's primary transfer targets appear widely known.
Alan Myers has unveiled Everton’s transfer priorities alongside their interest in Wilfried Gnonto, while negotiations for Jesper Lindstrom remain pending.
What once seemed like a transfer window of potential regression has transformed into a revolution, with Everton poised to increase their spending following Amadou Onana’s anticipated move to Aston Villa.
Despite the positive outlook, finding a replacement for the departing Belgian international is now imperative. Everton’s Director of Football, Kevin Thelwell, has identified a potential candidate.
Everton Boosted in Pursuit of Midfielder
According to GIVEMESPORT, Everton’s pursuit of Arthur Melo has gained traction, with insights into the player’s thoughts on a potential transfer. After enduring a challenging spell at Liverpool during the 2022/23 season, the Brazilian rejuvenated his career with a successful loan stint at Fiorentina.
Despite this revival, Arthur remains surplus to requirements at Juventus, prompting his openness to a move elsewhere. The report states, “GMS sources indicate Everton’s interest in Arthur has intensified following their search for an Onana replacement. He is keen on returning to the Premier League with the Toffees, having previously had a brief spell with Merseyside rivals Liverpool.”
A potential move to Everton would hold particular significance given the emerging rivalry between Everton and Newcastle United for his signature.
Would Arthur Melo Enhance Everton?
Debates about the wisdom of signing Arthur, aged 27 and commanding significant wages, are ongoing. Yet, his quality remains undeniable, underscored by an impressive season in Florence where he excelled in midfield.
As adept defensively as he is creative, Arthur contributed significantly to his team’s performance, narrowly missing out on European qualification. His season statistics included five goal contributions, a 92% pass accuracy, an average of one key pass per game, and 4.3 recoveries per game.
In comparison, Onana surpassed Arthur in only one metric, averaging 5.3 recoveries per game in the Premier League.
While Arthur could potentially fill the void left by Onana, his acquisition would represent a departure from Everton’s recent focus on youthful recruits with high resale value, a strategy championed by Thelwell.
As the transfer window unfolds, Everton’s pursuit of Arthur Melo presents an intriguing proposition, potentially reshaping their midfield dynamics for the upcoming season.
