Everton scout Carlo Jacomuzzi has questioned the likelihood of a summer pursuit of SSC Napoli midfielder Allan, as told to Calcio Napoli 24.
The Brazilian was tipped as a potential option for boss Carlo Ancelotti to target during the recent winter market, having played 61 times under the Italian during his time in charge at the San Paolo Stadium.
Allan was even described as Ancelotti’s ‘dream’ target and claimed to have urged Director of Football Marcel Brands to forge a formal pursuit for his signature, though no deal occurred despite claims that the nine-time international was keen to reunite with his former head coach at Goodison Park.
Everton could look to finance a revised approach at the close of the campaign, though that would now appear to have been taken off the table as Jacomuzzi is unsure of Ancelotti’s current position.
As would a pursuit of Mexico forward Hirving Lozano, who also emerged as a potential candidate for a reunion on Merseyside after a less-than-stellar start to life in the Serie A with Napoli.
“Lozano and Allan at Everton? I don’t know, you have to ask the manager,” said Jacomuzzi.
“It will be Ancelotti with the director to plan the next market; we work to bring news about the players.
“I have nothing to teach these gentlemen; they know how to work in the market.”
Would you like to see either at Goodison Park next season?
Both
Allan
Lozano
Neither
Since the close of the winter transfer market, Allan has continued to struggle for minutes under Ancelotti’s successor Gennaro Gattuso, who has only fielded the 29-year-old for seven minutes in all competitions this month.
Lozano has likewise been an option whom Gattuso has rarely turned to in February, with the 24-year-old only fielded for the final 14 minutes of Napoli’s 3-2 defeat at US Lecce.
A continued spell as nothing more than a back-up option at the San Paolo Stadium could see Allan and/or Lozano try and force their way out in the summer, where Ancelotti may see either as potential upgrades for those currently at Goodison Park.
In other Everton news, the club are continuing to scout one of Carlo Ancelotti’s January transfer targets.