Everton desperately need defensive reinforcements.
David Moyes was already struggling with a lack of depth in his defensive department, and the situation has now been made worse after Michael Keane saw his ban upheld for the next three games.
Now – according to Felipe Silva for ESPN – Everton have made an approach to sign a defender similar to the legendary Sergio Ramos in Leo Pereira.
Everton make approach to sign new Sergio Ramos in Leo Pereira
Reports from Brazil now state that Everton have opened talks with Flamengo to ask about the centre-back.
If you were David Moyes, which three players would you want to sign in January?
West Ham are also keen, and if the Toffees can beat the Hammers to Pereira, the Hill Dickinson Stadium faithful will welcome a defender who is vastly similar to Ramos statistically.
FBREF – a site focused on footballing data – name the Real Madrid and Spain icon as one of the most similar players to Pereira across the past year.
It is made clear that Pereira – like Ramos – is one of the finest passers out from the back with 79.9 attempted passes every 90 minutes, which puts him in the 99th percentile across the football world.
92.1% of those passes find a teammate, putting the Flamengo No.5 in the 95th percentile for that metric.
Furthermore, Pereira makes 5.7 progressive passes and 1.5 progressive carries – also known as dribbles forward – per game, landing the Everton target in the 96th percentile for both of these statistics.
Like Ramos – who can remarkably boast 125 goals in 850 games throughout his career – the Brazilian also knows where the net is, having scored four goals in 34 Brasileiro Serie A appearances last season.
The Friedkin Group have surely been scared off Leo Pereira deal
A deal would be expensive for Everton, as the aforementioned Silva added that Flamengo have quoted the Toffees €60m (£52m) if they want the 29-year-old.
Can you name the other three? 🤔
Still cannot believe Keane was sent of for this!
It remains to be seen if the Brazilian giants are bluffing, but if not, Everton must steer clear of such a price for a player nearing his thirties, regardless of how talented he clearly is.
Everton do have money to spend this winter, but it would be madness nonetheless to part with such a large sum for a player with little time remaining in his prime years.
Receive a digest of our best Everton content each week direct to your mailbox
