Why Everton should plot a summer swoop for Santos star Yeferson Soteldo

Santos president Jose Carlos Peres has spoken to Calciomercato (h/t The Liverpool Echo), claiming that Everton are interested in signing Yeferson Soteldo.

Signed by Santos from Huachipato in January 2019, Yeferson Soteldo has scored 10 goals and provided 7 assists in 36 games last season. His performances seem to have also caught the attention of Inter Milan and clubs in Spain, with Santos president Jose Carlos Peres putting a €35m on the winger’s head, the report adds. (h/t The Liverpool Echo)

Meanwhile, Everton have endured a mixed season so far despite the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti. After failing to do well under Marco Silva, the Toffees were off to flyer under Ancelotti as they surged up the table.

However, their results were disappointing before the suspension of the Premier League season. After failing to win any of their last three league games, Ancelotti’s side are currently 12th in the table.

At least, Ancelotti has brought some sense of togetherness and stability within the side. The Italian tactician has also sorted some of the issues in the attack, with Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin thriving in his system.

Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin have been Everton’s consistent goalscorers this season but they haven’t been supported enough by their fellow attackers. The likes Gylfi Sigurdsson, Alex Iwobi, Theo Walcott and Bernard have contributed to just six goals overall, while Moise Kean has failed to live up to the expectations of the Goodison Park faithful following his summer move from Juventus.

Therefore, the manager needs to add depth to the squad by bringing in young and energetic attacking players, and Yeferson Soteldo would be a smart fit at Goodison Park.

After starting his career in his native with Zamora, Soteldo spent three years in Chile representing clubs like Huachipato and Universidad de Chile. He enjoyed decent success in Chile before Santos signed him in January last year. So far, the 22-year-old has scored 49 times in 224 appearances in his burgeoning club career.

Soteldo has also represented Venezuela 17 times, having made his debut back in 2016. At the age of 22, he has played over 240 games in his career so far, which is indeed impressive. The Venezuelan international is basically a left-winger by trade but he is also capable of operating down the middle or down the right flank.

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The Santos star would undoubtedly bolster Everton’s attacking options, whilst adding depth to the squad. Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison have impressed this season and Soteldo would complement them perfectly in Ancelotti’s attack. He scored 10 goals for Santos last term and could be helpful for the Toffees if he scores the much-needed extra goals.

Verdict

Having not played outside South America, Soteldo could take some time to adjust to demands of Premier League football. Once he gets used to it, the 22-year-old might become a top player for Everton.