Richarlison repeat: Everton set sights on signing “impeccable” Brazilian

Everton have been very up and down of late in the Premier League.

Overcoming both AFC Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest in December has now been somewhat dampened by a 2-0 defeat on the road at Chelsea, with David Moyes’ men currently sitting in a middle-of-the-road ninth position as a result.

Thankfully, the days of relegation peril are far behind them, as Everton continue to seek out a spot in European competitions come the end of the season.

The Scotsman will surely be boosted in his bid to take the Toffees back to Europe by the January transfer window reopening, as the Merseyside giants already begin to be linked tentatively with some standout names.

Everton looking to seal Richarlison repeat

The Toffees broke the bank in the summer to bring in some new talents, with £42m of the £112m they spent in total forked out on rising star Tyler Dibling, while £25m was also splashed out on the services of ex-Leicester City midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

More millions could be used to land Jens Petter Hauge in January, with reports suggesting that the Premier League outfit has scouted the Bodo/Glimt winger extensively.

For far less money, having once cost just £7m for Botafogo to acquire, Everton could pick up Brazilian defender Vitinho, with Everton-focused journalist Alan Myers revealing recently that the Toffees are keen on the ex-Burnley right-back, as they seek out more depth on the right channel.

It is noted that Everton aren’t alone in their interest, however, with an offer also yet to be put forward.

But, for a modest amount, Moyes’ men could really solve some major issues that keep popping up in the right-back department by landing the 26-year-old, with the Glaswegian perhaps even winning his very own Richarlison in the process.

Why Vitinho could be Richarlison repeat at Everton

Richarlison and Moyes’ paths would never cross in the end at Goodison Park, despite both figures being clearly beloved presences on Merseyside.

Everton were crying out for a dynamic attacker to fill the void left behind by Romelu Lukaku’s departure in 2017, with Richarlison going on to bag a weighty 26 Premier League goals across his first two seasons at the club, leading to former Toffees boss Carlo Ancelotti heralding him as a “top striker.”

Vitinho would hope he could come in and be as instantly impactful in the troubled right-back spot at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, having been noted for having an “impeccable” attitude at Turf Moor by Vincent Kompany, for always giving his all donning a Clarets shirt.

Four goals and seven assists came the 5-foot-9 defender’s way in Lancashire, three of which came about in the Premier League even as Burnley struggled against the drop. A goal threat, he is also an adaptable presence, featuring five different positions during his time under Kompany. Richarlison, as well as being Brazilian like Vitinho, was also a versatile presence during his days at Goodison.

Indeed, Richarlison would go on to pick up 30 goals for Everton from down the left or right flank, away from just competently completing his centre-forward duties, with Vitinho also gaining joy from the right wing when he was briefly in England, with four goal contributions collected here, from a minimal 15 appearances.

The right-back spot will be where he’s expected to shine at the Hill Dickinson if a move is finalised in January, though, with Moyes far from impressed with Jake O’Brien’s performance here against Chelsea, when he disastrously gave away possession a high 25 times.

The Botafogo number two has even been handed a Brazil cap in recent times by Richarlison’s former boss in Ancelotti, as another South American gem is set to be unearthed on Merseyside, if everything falls into place across the frantic window to come.

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By
Tom Cunningham