ROME, ITALY - NOVEMBER 08: Luis Alberto of SS Lazio looks on during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Juventus at Stadio Olimpico on November 8, 2020 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
According to Express, Everton could look to sign Luis Alberto in January to solve their midfield problems. Even the player is facing questions about his future at Lazio due to an internal issue. Everton could step in and test Lazio’s stance on the player as a January move is being mooted.
A youth exponent of Sevilla, Luis Alberto featured largely for the club’s B & C sides in the lower divisions, making just 9 first-team appearances. He spent the 2012-13 season on loan at Barcelona, where he scored 11 goals in 38 appearances for the reserves before completing a permanent move to Liverpool in 2013.
However, Alberto’s career in English football failed to take off and he was frozen out of the set-up after making just 12 appearances in his debut season at Anfield. The 28-year-old excelled on loan at Malaga and Deportivo La Coruna in the La Liga over the next two seasons before Italian outfit Lazio came calling for his services in 2016.
Alberto has since established himself as one of the most effective playmakers in Italy, accumulating an impressive tally of 27 goals and 44 assists in 142 appearances across all competitions. The Spaniard was instrumental as Simone Ingazhi’s side finished 4th in the Serie A last season and qualified for the Champions League.
When Everton signed James Rodriguez, it was widely expected that he would be playing in his natural No.10 position. However, he has been playing on the right and drifting in from there. He has excelled in the role but the problem has been when he is absent through some injury.
The club failed to produce anything of note in the final third and it was clear that another midfielder with goalscoring and creating capabilities is needed. With a strong interest in Luis Alberto over the last few months, Everton should finally try to act on it once the window opens in January.
Luis Alberto is a natural in front of goal. His scoring and creation of goals have been unmatched in Serie A for the last few seasons and Everton would surely be aware of that.
The Spaniard would be a natural fit in the number 10 position, with James on the right. It would make Everton’s attack even more potent. With January close by, Everton need to work on Alberto’s deal soon.
