EVERTON are pushing to sign right-back Santiago Arias from Atletico Madrid in a £12million deal.
Toffees boss Carlo Ancelotti wants an established name to challenge his skipper Seamus Coleman, 31.
Colombia right-back Santiago Arias is wanted by Everton after slipping down the pecking order at Atletico MadridCredit: EPA
Everton have also been linked with Man Utd centre-back Chris Smalling, reportedly rated at £20m after his loan success with RomaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
And Arias, 28, who has 53 caps for Colombia, is open to moving after losing his place at Atletico to Kieran Trippier – while the Spaniards also have Croatia star Croatia star Simi Vrsaljko as cover.
Ancelotti has ruled out a move for France ace Djibril Sidibe, who returned to Monaco after an underwhelming loan season at Goodison.
And director of football Marcel Brands likes Arias, having signed him while at PSV Eindhoven in 2013.
It could, though, spell the end at Everton for local lad Jonjoe Kenny.
The right-back, 23, has returned from Schalke after the Toffees refused to allow him to spend a second season on loan with the Bundesliga club.
But Everton are ready to listen to offers for the former England Under-21 star.
Meanwhile, Ancelotti is reportedly battling with at least three other Premier League clubs for Manchester United centre-back Chris Smalling.
Roma would love to keep the 30-year-old after his outstanding season on loan but are thought to be baulking at the £20million asking price.
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That leaves Newcastle, West Ham and Smalling’s old club Fulham in contention for the 31-cap ex-England man.
But Old Trafford chief Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has not ruled out Smalling mounting a threat to his current central defenders.
He said: “I think Chris has shown over his career how valuable he is at Manchester United.
“This season was about him being a regular and going to Roma and showing how good a centre-back he is, I wanted to give Harry [Maguire], Victor [Lindelof] and maybe Axel [Tuanzebe] a chance.
“It was best for him to go and play for a year in Roma and he has shown he will be valuable.
“I’ve been speaking to Chris throughout. I’ve been delighted with his season.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
