Udinese's Beto in action with AC Milan's Fikayo Tomori
Everton have reportedly made a €25m (£22m) bid plus bonuses to try and sign Udinese striker Beto.
The Lowdown: Beto interest
The Toffees reportedly showed an interest in the 25-year-old earlier in the month, with claims that he was ‘top of the list’ alongside Bologna centre-forward Marko Arnautovic in terms of forwards that the Premier League club wanted to bring in this January.
Udinese are thought to value him at €25m (£22m) if they want to sell him in January, but time is running out if the Goodison Park outfit want to get a deal done.
The Latest: Everton bid for Beto
Italian news outlet TuttoMercatoWeb reported this afternoon that there could be a ‘possible last-minute surprise’ at Udinese, with Everton now placing an offer of €25m (£22m) plus bonuses for Beto.
Napoli are also thought to be interested in the Portuguese attacker, and Udinese now have a decision to make over whether to let him go.
The Verdict: Get it done…
With just a few hours remaining in the transfer window, Sean Dyche’s side simply can’t afford to not bring in attacking reinforcements, given their precarious league position and the sale of winger Anthony Gordon to Newcastle United.
Toffees legend Kevin Campbell has previously urged them to sign a ‘robust’ striker in this transfer window, and the 6 foot 3 Beto fits that profile as a player who Campbell describes as a ‘big’ and a ‘physical presence’.
This is emphasised by his ranking in the 79th percentile for aerial duels won of all forwards in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year, while he is also impressive with the ball at is feet, ranking in the 85th percentile for touches and 81st for dribbles completed per game (FBref).
With 18 goals in one-and-a-half seasons in Serie A, including seven so far this term, Beto – who turns 25 today – is a proven goalscorer in a top league, and at his age he could lead the line for the Toffees for the next few years.
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