Vicarage Road, Watford, Britain - August 1, 2022, Watford's Joao Pedro in action with Sheffield United's John Egan.
Everton journalist Patrick Boyland has suggested the Toffees may go back in for Joao Pedro in the January transfer window.
The lowdown
Everton’s pursuit of 20-year-old Watford attacker Pedro lasted until transfer Deadline Day.
They proposed a loan move that would include a £20million option to buy, but Watford turned it down.
The Hornets were only willing to consider a loan if it included a £30million purchase obligation, as per Rob Dorsett of Sky Sports News.
The latest
As part of a mailbag piece for The Athletic, Boyland was asked about ‘the most important’ areas to strengthen in January.
He revealed that Kevin Thelwell and his recruitment staff ‘will already be assessing priorities for the next window’ in a ’24/7′ operation.
And he reckons that the Blues may need a player who can score goals from wide areas.
From that point of view, returning for Pedro ‘would make sense’, he says.
The verdict
Everton did add Neal Maupay to their ranks in the summer transfer window but their only signing on the wings was Dwight McNeil, who failed to score last season.
And based on their paltry return of four goals in six matches – only Wolves and West Ham have scored fewer – they could use an extra threat.
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Pedro, who can play as either a left winger or a centre forward, has notched four direct goal contributions in seven games so far this season (scoring two and assisting two more).
According to FBRef, he’s similar in profile to former Blues forward Richarlison, who started his Premier League journey at Watford, as well as Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann.
Sky Sports pundit Keith Andrews has described him as a ‘special, special talent’, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him attract fresh interest at the turn of the year.
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