Why Everton signing Ronaldo Vieira would be a brilliant move
According to Football Insider (h/t Liverpool Echo), Everton have approached Serie A side Sampdoria for midfielder Ronaldo Vieira.
The report also claims that £14m would be enough for the Toffees to lure Vieira to Goodison Park. But it remains to be seen if they sign him now or in the summer.
Vieira, 21, came through the ranks of Benfica and Leeds United’s youth system. Since coming through the youth sides at Elland Road, he made 71 appearances for the senior team before moving to Italy with Sampdoria in the summer of 2018.
He is an England U21 youth international and the report also suggests that Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti is a big fan after keeping a close watch on the player when he was with Napoli last year.
Meanwhile, the Toffees have regained their lost form and have climbed higher up the table to the 12th position after a poor start to the season. Duncan Ferguson led them in a couple of games before the Italian tactician took charge in December.
Their attacking line has improved a lot with Dominic Calvert-Lewin having a successful run of form in recent months along with Richarlison, who continues to be a key figure for the Merseyside outfit. As far as the defensive unit is concerned, Ancelotti brought in reinforcements in the form of Jarrad Branthwaite earlier this month.
However, they face some limitations in the midfield with Jean-Philippe Gbamin spending half the season on the sidelines. Andre Gomes’ ankle injury has worsened the case for the manager, leaving him with Tom Davies and Fabian Delph as the only players available on a regular basis.
Frenchman Morgan Schneiderlin has also started in only 10 league games so far. Therefore, it is clear that the Toffees haven’t found the right combination in the middle of the park. Hence, an interest in Ronaldo Vieira is logical.
Vieira featured regularly for Leeds in his first two seasons in the senior team. This term, he has already surpassed the total number of league games he played last campaign for Sampdoria. The England U21 international has enough experience under his belt, having played in different leagues.
Verdict
Vieira is capable of playing in an advanced role and can also be deployed deeper in the middle. Therefore, signing the Bissau-born English talent would boost the Toffees’ midfield unit considerably.
