After opting against signing Djibril Sidibe permanently, Everton were linked with a host of other right-backs (Santiago Arias, Colin Dagba, Emerson, Jesus Corona, Ola Aina, Bouna Sarr, Diogo Dalot) before sticking with Seamus Coleman and Jonjoe Kenny.
Sport believe we’re lining up a January move for Emerson, but Estadio Deportivo have rubbished such claims and say the story is ‘made up’, so who should we trust?
Everton missed out on Emerson in August
There was genuine interest from our end before the summer transfer window shut. We wanted to sign Emerson on a two-year loan with a €20m (£18m) buying option but saw our offer rejected by Barcelona.
The reason behind their decision was down to not receiving enough money up front, as Barca requested €32m. Emerson was said to be ‘upset’ with the move falling through and we ended up moving on.
Coleman has been our first-choice right-back with Jonjoe Kenny providing cover, but new-boy Ben Godfrey is able to operate in the makeshift role too, so we’re not short on options.
Chances of us returning in January?
Very slim. Coleman has made six appearances in all competitions this season, Kenny has made four appearances across the board and Godfrey has made two appearances, so we don’t need another defender.
It’s complicated signing Emerson too, as he’s one year into a two-year loan with Real Betis. The 21-year-old has four years remaining on his deal at Barca, but he can still be sold.
Barca want to make a big profit and weren’t happy with our offer for Emerson, so a deal looks dead in the water. Unless we sell an existing right-back, I can’t see us bringing in another.
What have Estadio Deportivo said?
Estadio Deportivo said: ‘It’s all made up. Information about the player… intends to appear as if by magic to destabilize and deconcentrate.’ The Spanish outlet were also critical of Liverpool Echo touting an Everton move for Emerson and don’t believe his future will be resolved until next summer. Time will tell.
Regardless, we did try to sign the 21-year-old and saw our offer rebuffed as it was too low. We don’t need to return for Emerson when the winter transfer window opens, so he may not be coming to Goodison Park any time soon.
In other news, Everton should go all out to sign Isco