Many Everton supporters have been reacting on the Grand Old Team forum after La Pagina Millonaria suggested reported target Santiago Sosa is trying to obtain a European passport in order to complete his summer move to Goodison Park.
The 20-year-old’s current club River Plate have already confirmed that negotiations between the clubs are ongoing, with Vice President Jorge Brito telling La Red radio, via Ole: “There is a negotiation opened [with Everton] for Sosa, but I don’t want to give more details.”
What has caused the deal to drag out, though, is that the defensive midfielder is struggling to obtain a UK work permit – the same issue which has kept Henry Onyekuru out on loan, rather than making his long-awaited Blues debut.
So far in his fledgeling career, Sosa has only played five senior games for River Plate, and has only represented Argentina on the international stage at U20 level, which would make it beyond a struggle to convince the Premier League he should qualify for a work permit.
TNT Sport reporter Nicolas Distasio even recently suggested the transfer was, in fact, closer to collapsing than it was being finalised because of Sosa’s struggles to obtain a work permit, noting it was: “Because of the community [EU] passport, work visa, [and other] requirements that the Premier League requests when incorporating the players, [that] the player, today, couldn’t play for Everton and in the English league.”
In what could be a masterstroke of luck, however, La Pagina Millonaria have suggested Sosa’s agent is working hard to obtain a European passport, rather than trying to obtain a work permit from the FA, as the River Plate product has a European family background.
Although, they do also suggest Sosa’s transfer to Everton is currently stagnant, and question whether a deal will be agreed before the Premier League transfer window closes, as obtaining the passport will take time.
When the update was shared on the Grand Old Team forum, though, this is how these Everton fans reacted…
“Haha, called this. Isn’t this how the Italian/Spanish teams manage to sign so many South Americans?” – Tin-Tin (June 11, 21:19)
“So it turns out that his great great granddad Ricardio del Rancho was from Wigan! What a stroke of luck for a change.” – Billy Toffee (June 11, 22:20)
“Fits into what his Dad said about waiting for something. This probably won’t be done this window.” – Marcels Goat (June 11, 22:29)
“Yep, they do a version of “who do you think you are?” and suddenly find they have an Italian Grandmother.“ – One True Legend (June 11, 22:30)
“Wonder if Dave Whelan knows him.” – 4737Carlin (June 12: 00:05)
“Sums the club up really!!!” – Baines’ Left Boot (June 12, 08:11)
“Is this deffo a “no go” because of work permit problems, or is it still one that’s hanging in the balance?” – Bill Loves Roo (June 12, 09:20)