According to a report from Italian Sky Sports journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, promising left-back Destiny Udogie will not be moving to Everton this January despite a multi-million-pound bid apparently being lodged for the youngster’s services.
Udogie, who is yet to make a first-team appearance for Hellas Verona this season, has been turning heads due to his performances in the youth ranks and especially for the junior Italian national side. The 17-year-old has been dubbed a hot prospect across the continent, with a piece from Mondo Primavera likening the defender to Marcelo when he signed his first professional contract recently. A scout report from talentshunter.eu has also highlighted many of Udogie’s key attributes – boasting athleticism, versatility, speed and power on the overlap.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti may have been interested in the youth international for all of those strengths, but what stands out statistically when analysing the Nigeria-eligible full-back is his eye for goal – having scored six for Hellas Verona’s U17 side last season, whilst also notching an assist (Transfermarkt). Udogie’s most recent heroics for the junior national team came in the form of a dramatic last-minute winner at the U17s World Cup against eventual finalists Mexico.
Whether or not the Toffees have made a huge mistake in missing out on the young defender remains to be seen, but judging by his already impressive CV, he could be one to watch for the future.
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