Everton are to hold fresh talks with Sporting Lisbon over a potential move for Joao Virginia, according to Portuguese newspaper O Jogo (via Sport Witness). 

The lowdown

Virginia has now reached the end of his season-long loan spell with the Primeira Liga outfit, who have qualified for next season's UEFA Champions League.

He had the opportunity to play eight times, including in a UCL group match against Ajax in December.

Sporting agreed a €5million (£4.3million) purchase option with Everton back in August.

The Blues already have Asmir Begovic as cover for Jordan Pickford, and have decided to extend his contract by a further year.

Virginia has only played three times for the Merseyside outfit but has won some won rave reviews in his time, with former coach David Unsworth describing him as 'unbelievable'.

[web_stories_embed url="https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/everton-news-5/" title="Everton news!" poster="" width="360" height="600" align="none"]

The latest

The report claims that representatives from both clubs will meet this week in the hope of reaching a deal.

Sporting believe that the option to buy included in the deal is too expensive and will pursue a compromise, but Everton are apparently ready to play hard ball.

The verdict

It might be in Everton's interests to reduce their demands. After all, Sporting may have something they want.

23-year-old midfielder Matheus Nunes, who's valued at £27million by Transfermarkt, confirmed in December that he'd been made aware of a summer approach from the Toffees.

Perhaps it would be smart for Kevin Thelwell and his team to make concessions here, especially given that Virginia doesn't appear to be part of their plans anyway. They could then sweeten relations with Sporting, which will serve them well should they wish to return for Nunes or indeed any of their other assets.

In other news, Sky Sports have dropped a further update on the FFP dispute.