---
title: "Everton: Rafael Benitez eyes Mario Hermoso"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/everton-rafael-benitez-eyes-mario-hermoso/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "David Comerford"
section: "Everton"
published: "2021-08-09T16:10:05Z"
modified: "2021-08-09T16:10:05Z"
---

# Everton: Rafael Benitez eyes Mario Hermoso

**Rafael Benitez has identified Atletico Madrid’s Mario Hermoso as a potential defensive target for Everton, according to [Fichajes](https://www.fichajes.net/noticias/tres-clubes-premier-suenan-fichaje-hermoso-20210807.html).**

### The lowdown

Atletico signed the 26-year-old from Espanyol ahead of the 2019/20 season for a fee of [£22.5m](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mario-hermoso/profil/spieler/281769) and he has gone to make [61 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mario-hermoso/leistungsdaten/spieler/281769/plus/0?saison=2020) for Diego Simeone’s side.

He averaged two clearances, 1.8 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game in La Liga last season (via [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/344156/History/Mario-Hermoso)) as he played his part in Los Rojiblancos’ [title triumph](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mario-hermoso/erfolge/spieler/281769).

The 26-year-old is primarily a centre-half but [was also used at left-back](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mario-hermoso/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/281769/plus/0/saison/2020/wettbewerb/ES1/verein/13) on seven occasions over the course of the campaign.

### The latest

The report from [Fichajes](https://www.fichajes.net/noticias/tres-clubes-premier-suenan-fichaje-hermoso-20210807.html) stated that any move for Hermoso won’t be ‘easy’ because Atletico aren’t under pressure to sell the player, although they would be willing to consider offers from the €35m (£29.6m) mark.

Everton are one of three Premier League clubs said to be in the frame for his signature. Benitez has been ‘following’ the 26-year-old closely and has wanted defensive reinforcements ‘from the first moment’ he took the reins at Goodison Park.

Aston Villa, who have a ‘significant sum of money to strengthen’ their squad following the [£100m](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12372309/jack-grealish-manchester-city-sign-aston-villa-captain-for-100m) departure of Jack Grealish; and Arsenal, who have already signed Ben White this summer, are the other clubs mentioned as prospective suitors for Hermoso.

### The verdict

Bringing in a top-quality centre-back could help to propel Everton up the table as they seek to improve upon the tally of [48 league goals conceded](https://www.premierleague.com/tables?co=1&se=363&ha=-1) from last term.

Hermoso, a title winner last season with Atletico, would appear to be an excellent addition and is a player who still has plenty of years left at the top level while also coming into his peak now. His tackling record in 2020/21 matched that of Ben Godfrey and was twice as good as Yerry Mina’s, while only four Toffees players bettered his interceptions per game average ([WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/31/Archive/England-Everton)).

Everton have [‘next to no wiggle room’](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/financial-fair-play-limiting-everton-21258754) when it comes to Financial Fair Play after years of ‘significant losses’, but they also have an abundance of deadwood. Clearing it could enable a balancing of the books and help to facilitate prospective new signings such as Hermoso, but that is of course easier said than done.

**In other news, [many Everton fans were left raging by this transfer update](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/everton-fc-transfer-rumours/anthony-martial-manchester-united/).**