Everton are reportedly keen to sign Inter Milan midfielder Matias Vecino, though landing the Uruguayan could spell the end for Morgan Schneiderlin at Goodison Park.
The Toffees have recently been linked with a move for Vecino by reports in Italy, which claimed Director of Football Marcel Brands had lodged a formal offer to the Nerazzurri to sign their factotum midfielder who faces an uncertain future at the San Siro.
Inter are believed to be open to selling the 28-year-old this month if they first find a suitable replacement, and further claims from the continent have added that we lead Sevilla in the hunt for Vecino’s signature.
Corrie Dello Sport, via Sport Witness, claimed on Thursday that Inter feel selling Vecino is their best option this month after he tumbled down Conte’s pecking order, and that the pair no longer share a good relationship.
Inter could look to include Vecino in a deal for Tottenham Hotspur’s Christian Eriksen or AC Milan’s Franck Kessie, though neither options are currently considered likely.
Instead, the Nerazzurri will look to cash in on Vecino for around €20million (£17m), as the potential sum represents good value for their accounts.
Vecino has featured in 17 fixtures for Inter in all competitions this season, though has only opened ten of his 14 Serie A appearances and was an unused substitute in the San Siro native’s 1-1 draw with Atalanta last weekend.
Who would you prefer to have at Goodison Park?
Vecino
Schneiderlin
Should our alleged offer for Vecino meet Inter’s €20m asking price or Brands returns to the San Siro with a greater bid, the Uruguayan’s arrival on Merseyside could spell the end for Schneiderlin at Goodison Park.
The Frenchman has not yet featured in the Premier League under Carlo Ancelotti, with the boss leaving Schneiderlin on the bench as we beat Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 last weekend despite his return from a calf injury in the FA Cup the week before.
Ancelotti is also said to have deemed the 15-cap former international anchor surplus to requirements in his Goodison Park rebuild, having lost patience with a number of senior players.
Ancelotti, therefore, may see Vecino as Schneiderlin’s replacement on Merseyside, with the Uruguayan a jack-of-all-trades at the San Siro.
Vecino has averaged 1.4 interceptions, 1.5 clearances and 2.7 successful tackles from 4.4 attempts per 90 minutes in the Serie A this season, per WhoScored data, along with 36.1 passes, 1.1 key balls and 1.6 shots.
Schneiderlin, meanwhile, has averaged 1.6 interceptions, 1.6 clearances and 2.3 from 3.9 tackles per 90 minutes in the Premier League, along with 49.7 passes, 0.4 key balls and 0.6 shots.
In other Everton news, the club ‘could move’ for an in-demand £4.5m-rated midfielder this month.