According to a recent report from The Sun, Everton could face stiff competition in the race for defender Eder Militao. The 20-year-old currently plays his football at Portuguese heavyweights Porto and has done so since leaving Sao Paulo back in the summer of 2018, with his fine efforts in the Primeira Liga seemingly attracting the interest of Toffees manager Marco Silva.

Yet recent reports suggest that Liverpool, Manchester United, and Real Madrid are all interested in landing the one-time Brazil international, who reportedly has a £42.5 million release clause in his Porto contract, which means that winning the race for the 20-year-old would no doubt represent Marcel Brands’ biggest achievement to date at Goodison Park.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, the Dutchman joined the Toffees as director of football back in May and oversaw what many felt was a hugely encouraging transfer window, what with the likes of Richarlison, Yerry Mina, and Andre Gomes making the move to the blue half of Merseyside.

Add in the shrewd acquisitions of defenders Lucas Digne and Kurt Zouma, both of whom have played their part in a solid first half of the season for Silva’s men, and it’s clear that Brands got a lot right during the summer transfer window in seeking to take Everton to the next level.

However, reports that the likes of Liverpool, United, and Real Madrid are interested in 20-year-old Militao, linked with Everton in recent times as well, provides a very stern test of Brands’ recruitment, as all three can offer the versatile youngster better footballing chances than the Toffees.

All three sides have made it through into the last-16 of the Champions League this term to thus offer the 20-year-old the highest level of European football in the second half of the campaign, while Jurgen Klopp’s Reds look set to again qualify for the competition next time round - it’s not quite as obvious that messrs United and Real will do the same.

As such, it will be up to Brands and the Toffees hierarchy to try and convince the Brazilian of the long-term gain from moving to Goodison Park, what with it looking like Silva is building a team that could compete with the Premier League’s top six clubs in years to come - add in a new stadium in the near future, and things are certainly looking up.

Significantly, the Toffees have also flexed their financial muscle in recent times in splashing out big money on the likes of Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson, so they clearly have that in their arsenal when it comes to trying to attract top talent to Goodison Park - Militao certainly falls into that category.

The 20-year-old may have only been at Porto for half a season, but in that time he has proven his worth as a centre back in appearing 21 times in all competitions for the Portuguese giants, including 12 successive Primeira Liga starts to underline his prominence in Sergio Conceicao’s plans.

Add in versatility in being adept at right back and indeed in a more defensive-minded midfield role, and it’s clear that the 20-year-old has an extremely bright future in the game - there’s a reason he reportedly has a £42.5 million release clause in his contract.

And such is the level of interest from clubs seemingly above Everton in the footballing ranks, there is little doubting that winning the race for the defender this month would represent Brands’ biggest success at Goodison Park thus far.

Everton fans… what do you think? Let us know!