Everton’s Financial Fair Play issues could prevent them from spending big in a rebuild this summer, and even if Frank Lampard steers them to Premier League safety, he could be forced into sounding out bargain transfers, loan deals and free agents as the club look to get back on track.
The potential sales of in-demand trio Richarlison, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Jordan Pickford could provide the club with a welcome cash injection, but the fees earned from those prospective transfers may not all be reinvested in the playing squad.
With that being said, one player with whom they were linked in January will be available at the end of the season on a free transfer – Matias Vecino.
What’s the news?
According to Italian news outlet Calciomercato, there is almost no chance the Inter Milan midfielder will remain at the club beyong this summer, with his contract set to expire at the end of June.
The Uruguay international has long been a target for the Merseyside club, first being linked by Gianluca Di Marzio in 2020 as then-Toffees manager Carlo Ancelotti was keen on taking him to Goodison Park, while Rafael Benitez was also keen on signing him in the January transfer window according to Calciomercato.
Bargain signing for Lampard
Rated at £4.5m by Transfermarkt, Vecino could still have a decent resale value which would give Everton an automatic profit if things don’t work out, and at the age of 30, it seems unlikely that he would want a long-term contract.
However, the midfielder would most likely be a low-risk, high-reward signing who would bring some much-needed fight into an already experienced team.
Once labelled a “very good and vastly underrated player” by journalist Adam Digby, the former Fiorentina star has started just two games in Serie A this season, averaging a 6.69 rating from Sofascore. Despite barely featuring, he still ranks in the top 1% for xG per 90 (0.30) among midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues and continental competitions in the last 365 days.
He would also bring high intensity to Lampard’s team, ranking in the top 3% for tackles in the attacking third per 90 (0.58), top 8% for pressures in the attacking third per 90 (4.84) and top 1% for goal-creating actions per 90 (0.69 – more than any other midfielder), as per FBRef.
There is no doubt that Vecino could still have a lot to give for his next club, and if that destination is Goodison Park, then Everton would have an excellent addition to their midfield for next season. They could strike gold by landing the 30-year-old on a free transfer.
In other news: Lampard must finally unleash “aggressive” ace, it’s “bizarre” that Everton don’t play him
