Everton are refusing to meet Inter Milan’s asking price for Uruguay midfielder Matias Vecino, according to Gazzetta dello Sport via Sport Witness.
Director of Football Marcel Brands had been in constant communication with the Nerazzurri as the Dutchman chased a January deal for Vecino, but negotiations for the 41-cap star have grown complicated.
Inter are demanding at least €20million (£16.9m) to release the 28-year-old from his contract at the San Siro, having already lowered their asking price from €25m (£21.1m) after no suitor could be found.
But Everton are hoping that the Nerazzurri lower their valuation even more, as it is said that Toffees chiefs have offered less than Inter’s present asking price and are refusing to meet their valuation.
Club executives are also showing no urgency in making a deal for Vecino to join Carlo Ancelotti on Merseyside, forcing Inter chiefs to question their own late window moves with Friday’s deadline rapidly approaching and Everton playing hardball.
Will we get a deal for Vecino over the line?
Yes
No
The Nerazzurri welcomed Tottenham Hotspur’s Christian Eriksen to the club on Tuesday, having agreed on a fee of around £16.9m for the Denmark international who would have been a free agent in the summer.
Eriksen could find that Vecino is a teammate of his at the San Siro if Everton do not present an improved offer in the near days, as Inter are reportedly willing to keep hold of the Central Espanol product.
It is now seen as the most likely scenario that Vecino stays with Inter, and that he could be offered the chance to make an important contribution to their Serie A title challenge under former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte.
Vecino could even make his first appearance since January 6 on Wednesday night when the Nerazzurri face Fiorentina in the Italian Cup, having been frozen out by Conte after their relationship reportedly deteriorated exponentially.
Vecino had previously expressed a willingness to sign for Everton, leading to claims that a move was nearing completion, though the board’s stubbornness over the fee could yet see that we miss out on the Uruguayan box-to-box star midfielder this month.
In other Everton news, the club are said to be courting a £34million forward.