Everton are looking to strengthen their engine room this summer and have already been linked with Napoli midfielder Allan and Aston Villa’s John McGinn. The Toffees also have their eye on Davide Frattesi, but he may be a difficult player to sign due to an agreement Sassuolo have with AS Roma.
According to TuttoMercatoWeb, Roma have the option to bring back Frattesi to the Stadio Olimpico due to a clause inserted in his contract from his sale back in 2017. Everton are still keen to bring the 20-year-old to Goodison Park, but Roma will have first option if they make a move.
Frattesi has impressed while on loan at FC Empoli this season, making 30 appearances in all competitions. Carlo Ancelotti is believed to be a big fan of the midfielder, but the Toffees only have a chance of landing his signature if Roma pass up the opportunity.
Despite Everton having Andre Gomes, Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Fabian Delph, Morgan Schnedierlin, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Tom Davies at their disposal, they’re still looking to strengthen the side. If the Toffees want Frattesi, they may have to pay €15m and around £1m-a-year in wages which won’t break the bank.
But TuttoMercatoWeb’s latest update is nevertheless a setback as one club stand in their way of making a signing. It won’t matter how much Everton offer, Roma can bring Frattesi back to the Olimpico if and when they see fit.
It remains to be seen what his potential arrival would mean for existing players, but Schneiderlin and Sigurdsson’s future has been uncertain for some time. Everton under Marcel Brands are looking to lower the squad’s average age and sign young talent, so it wouldn’t be a major shock if Frattesi’s arrival coincided with the duo’s departure.