It feels like now, after a summer where three new signings have already been made and far more are set to come, the bulk of Everton’s transfer targets are well-documented.
After all, Alan Myers revealed Everton’s transfer priority alongside their Wilfried Gnonto interest, whilst a deal for Jesper Lindstrom still looms as well.
A transfer window that once threatened to be another of regression has instead turned into a revolution, and their spending is only set to increase once Amadou Onana’s move to Aston Villa is confirmed.
Things are looking up, but a replacement for the Belgium international is now surely needed.
Fortunately, Kevin Thelwell has somebody in mind.
Everton handed huge transfer boost in pursuit of midfielder
The latest on Everton’s pursuit of Arthur Melo comes courtesy of GIVEMESPORT, who actually detail the players’ thoughts on the potential move.
Having endured a tough, injury-laden spell on Merseyside during the 2022/23 season with Liverpool, it seems the Brazilian has finally got his career back on track with a fine loan spell at Fiorentina.
However, still deemed unfit for purpose at Juventus, he is in limbo, and thus that might explain his openness to finding a new home.
The report therefore reads: ‘GMS sources have been informed that Everton are showing interest in Arthur in the aftermath of entering the market for an Onana replacement, and he is very interested in the prospect of returning to the Premier League with the Toffees after having a short spell with Merseyside rivals Liverpool.’
It would make it even more sweet if Everton were to beat Newcastle United to his signature, given the recent rivalry that has emerged between the two clubs.
Would Arthur Melo improve Everton?
Whilst there is a debate to be had over whether he would be a smart signing, given his huge wages and the fact that he is 27, the quality of Arthur cannot be denied.
And he proved that last season in Florence, where he stunned in the midfield.
Just as creative as he is combative, he did it all as his temporary team narrowly missed out on European spots.
However, that was through no fault of the Brazilian’s, who posted five goal contributions, maintained a 92% pass accuracy, averaged one key pass per game whilst also recovering possession 4.3 times per game.
For comparison, in the Premier League, Onana only outperformed Arthur in one of those metrics, managing 5.3 balls recovered per game.
He would mark an ample replacement, but a risky one, and a divergence from the youth-focused and sell-on value recruitment Thelwell has been employing.
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