With the free signing of James Tarkowski now complete, Everton and Frank Lampard will surely be looking to add another new face sooner rather than later.
With the club’s current financial difficulties, it is believed Lampard and Kevin Thelwell will be looking at free transfers and loan deals.
However, over the weekend, it was reported by Gianluca Di Marzio that Udinese defender Rodrigo Becao was in talks about joining the club in a fee worth around £17M.
Who is Rodrigo Becao?
The Brazilian born centre back started his career at EC Bahia and was loaned out to CSKA Moscow in 2018/19 playing the full season and was instrumental in getting two clean sheets in the Champions League vs Real Madrid. He then made the move to Italy in 2019 to his current club, Udinese scoring on his debut vs AC Milan and has gone on to 99 appearances.
Standing at 6ft3in, he is similar in stature to Yerry Mina. Good in the air, a good tackler and like his Mina, loves to wind up opposition players.
If Rodrigo Becao was to join Everton, he would be the 7th recognised first-team defender. With Jared Branthwaite supposedly being loaned out for first-team football, Michael Keane or Yerry Mina would most likely be moved on if a suitable buyer is found.
With Ben Godfrey and Mason Holgate both in their mid 20’s and time on their side, Lampard can build a partnership with them two. Michael Keane who is turning 30 next year has had a mixed spell at the club, and Yerry Mina is in the final year of his contract, it would be ideal if one, if not both could be moved on by the club.
Everton played a back three during the second half of last season, once Lampard was appointed. It will be interesting to see how we line up this coming season, especially with how many defenders we have in the squad.
Do you think we need another defender?
Who would you like to move on?
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