Everton Director of Football Marcel Brands has initiated preliminary contact with Argentinian first-division side San Lorenzo to discuss a move for Adolfo Gaich, according to FC Inter News.
Gaich was one of the stars for Argentina at this summer’s U20 World Cup, striking goals against South Africa, Portugal and Mali to take his record on the international stage to seven goals in 14 U20 games.
His efforts at the tournament are thought to have alerted Inter Milan to his potential, who are now pondering the benefits of signing the Cordoba-born striker and instantly loaning him to fellow Serie A outfit Genoa, as they do not feel he is quite yet ready to make an impact at the San Siro as they prepare for next season’s Champions League.
The potential for a loan to Genoa is there, as the Stadio Luigi Ferraris natives are expected to appoint Stefano Capozucca to their board, who enjoys a strong relationship with Inter Sporting Director Piero Ausilio and President Beppe Marotta.
It’s suggested Genoa President Enrico Preziosi and Capozucca have already discussed the matter as well, and will now take the next few days to further investigate the agreement with Inter to see if it would suit all parties.
FC Inter News, however, claim Brands has already reached out to San Lorenzo in a bid to sign Gaich before Inter Milan or Genoa can, although the Italian site do not suggest how welcome his approach was received.
They also suggest the price in question to sign Gaich would be €6million (£5.3m), despite the Argentinian variant of Marca linking us with the 6 ft striker last week, and suggesting we would be willing to pay the 20-year-old’s $15million (£11.7m) release clause.
Marca also included quotes for Gaich’s agent, Pablo Caro, from an interview with radio station La Cicloneta, which suggested our interest was still vague.
“We are talking to clubs in Italy, but the Everton issue is not yet clear,” he said. “But Gaich is in the hands of many clubs, but there is nothing concrete yet.
“Looking to the future, one would like him to go through the European market, I think you have to look for that to find the fullness of the player.”