Arsenal’s new technical director Edu Gaspar arrived last week and it seems he is wasting no time in attempting to accelerate the clubs movement in the market this summer, with GloboEsporte suggesting the Brazilian has made contact with Gremio to ask for more information about winger Everton Soares.
With Crystal Palace demanding in excess of £80million for Wilfried Zaha, the Gunners may have been forced to look elsewhere for a new winger. Everton is a riskier signing as he is not Premier League proven like Zaha, but he is three years younger and could potentially reach a higher level than Zaha.
With a limited budget, these are the kind of risks Arsenal will need to take. I can understand why Emery, who has just one year remaining on his current contract, may prefer a signing like Zaha, who is more likely to hit the ground running.
The Gunners have already signed one Brazilian winger this summer in Gabriel Martinelli. But Everton is further along in his development and aged 23 was one of Brazil’s best players at this summers Copa America.
Everton is known for his high work rate and excellent dribbling ability, two attributes that would certainly be welcomed at Arsenal. Capable of playing anywhere across the frontline, Everton is best when playing as a left winger.
With Martinelli signing, the interest in Zaha and Everton and the return of Reiss Nelson, the Gunners look set to return to a more familiar 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation next season.
https://twitter.com/tomashammes/status/1150162653198921730
In the video above, Everton says that he is not sure if he will be playing for Gremio on Thursday. This hints that a transfer is quite close. Whether or not the club he will join is Arsenal is another matter, but it is clear that the Gunners are interested in the player and that the arrival of Edu could give the club an advantage in negotiations.
Edu has been working with the Brazilian national team for some time and even as recently as the Copa America, where Everton was a key player.