On Wednesday afternoon it was being reported that Sandro Ramirez was potentially on the verge of sealing a move out to Real Sociedad.
ESPN covered the rumours and suggested that the 23-year-old was close to sealing a switch to the La Liga side ahead of the closure of the European window – but the deal would be a loan spell only.
Having arrived at Goodison Park last summer from Malaga having scored 16 goals in 31 matches for a reported £5.2million, he hasn’t been great and has only taken in 15 appearances with a return of one goal and he spent the second half of the year out with Sevilla.
Under Marco Silva, he was yet to feature in 2018/19 until last night’s EFL Cup victory over Rotherham.
Sociedad President, Jokin Aperribay is quoted as saying.
“It is true that we are quite close, there is agreement with him and with Everton, but today they play a cup game and, if all goes well, he could come tomorrow. If it is done, it will be done tomorrow and he would come on loan without a purchase option.”
He started the game and got 86 minutes under his belt, so I presume either the deal is far from done as per Aperribay’s belief, or maybe there is an underlying fitness/injury issue and the deal hinged on seeing him get some real game time and prove his fitness?
Fair to say this is a confusing one but there are reports that Ademola Lookman was in line for the game, but he succumbed to injury so fell out of contention, so could Ramirez have just been an easy go-to if Silva had already given others the night off and they weren’t around?
Maybe Marco would prefer to keep Sandro if he can hack it? And get a profit off a player with a bad attitude(Lookman)?
— Ben Birney (@benbirney) August 29, 2018
has lookman picked up a knock or left out?
— Nilesh Tailor (@Toffee_Nils) August 29, 2018
He's a bad egg and is being taught a lesson, strong leadership from Silva who is showing he is no fool.
— Steve Walmsley (@Stevewalmo1) August 29, 2018
Bernard
— Joe | EFC Graphics (@JoeDoesDesigns) August 29, 2018
If Sandra is going. I'm a bit surprised he is playing tonight
— Googil (@Goo_gil) August 29, 2018
Lookman looks like he's on his way as well ????
— Ledger (@Ledger89) August 29, 2018
We are no worse off at all without him.
— Carren Dorless (@bluepants1878) August 29, 2018
Sigurdsson, Dowell, Davies – Who is the DM?
Sandro transfer virtually final – Why is he playing?
Where is Lookman and why isn't he playing if his transfer is about to happen?
Where is Bernard?
Davies captain?#EFC pic.twitter.com/zX4a0ibgoU— Royal Blue Mersey (@RBMersey) August 29, 2018
Very odd team. Very #efc if this backfires. Sandro? Really?
— stuart (@s_ditchfield) August 29, 2018
Bit strange Sandro starting if hes supposedly gone tomorrow. Unless Lookman is gone instead, no sign of him again.
— JM.EFC (@jmurphyefc) August 29, 2018
Following the game, Silva was quoted by Click Liverpool as saying that even if a move does take place this week, he remains in his plans and his preferrence would be that he stays.
“No matter what happens in the next few days with Sandro, I believe in him. He showed me tonight again how he’s a fantastic professional and for me it’s not a surprise. We have to wait to see, something could happen but now is not the moment to talk about it.”
Silva went on to say that even if he ‘knew’ something was happening and that it was ‘something’ Sandro was trying to organise, he would still want him to remain so I get the impression it’s more the player trying to secure the move as opposed to the club.