Benfica's Florentino during the warm up before the match
Journalist Pete O’Rourke says that Benfica defensive midfielder Florentino Luis would ‘be a real marquee signing’ for Everton this summer.
The Lowdown: Everton interest
As per Portuguese news outlet Record, Everton sent scouts to watch Luis play in Benfica’s 2-0 win away at Club Brugge in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie.
They are interested in a move this summer, but Benfica do not want to entertain any talks at this moment in time.
The Latest: ‘Marquee signing’
Speaking to GiveMeSport, O’Rourke says that Luis would ‘be a real marquee signing’ at Goodison Park, but he is protected by a ‘huge’ release clause of €120m (£105m):
“He would be a big signing if they could get him. He’s got a huge release clause at Benfica, so I don’t think Everton will be getting anywhere near that, but Florentino Luis has had a really good season for Benfica.
“His stats are right up there with the best defensive midfielders in Europe so, if Everton were able to pull off this signing, he would be a real marquee signing because there are a number of top clubs across Europe monitoring his situation as well.”
The Verdict: Difficult
This would be a very difficult deal to do for the Merseysiders, especially given top European clubs will want him this summer, and any move would rely on them staying up in the Premier League.
Luis currently boasts the most interceptions in both the Portuguese top flight and Champions League, and has been nicknamed the ‘Portuguese Octopus’ by football talent scout Jacek Kulig.
Joao Tralhao, who coached him in Benfica’s youth ranks, has hailed him as an ‘exceptional talent’, and says that he has a ‘very similar’ profile to Manchester United’s recent Carabao Cup winner Casemiro.
Nonetheless, this deal seems like one too far for the Toffees, unless they can finish the season impressively and really whittle down that price tag.
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