Everton Soares was once Arsenal’s top transfer target but his age appears to have put suitors off
ONE-TIME Arsenal target Everton has been in fine form for Gremio in the Brazilian Championship this season.
But, although his wife put out a video of him studying English on social media earlier this summer, he no longer seems to be on the Gunners' radar.
The acquisition of Nicolas Pepe for a club record fee always made it unlikely Arsenal would invest in another winger in the summer transfer window.
The pair would have been capable of operating together, Pepe on the right and Everton cutting in from the left.
But what seemed like the near certainty of a big-money move to Europe failed to materialise – and the player does not appear too happy about it.
A few years ago there would have been no problem.
Everton made his name in the recent Copa America where he was the joint-top scorer and the revelation of the tournament.
He started the competition as an option on the bench, but ended it as a star member of Brazil’s winning team.
Not long back, major European clubs would have been queuing up - but the market has changed.
Everton is 23 and this, from the point of view of many of Europe’s top clubs, makes him worryingly old.
Tim Vickery
Arsenal have bought Brazilian already this year, investing in 18-year-old Gabriel Martinelli.
He comes from Ituano, a small club on the outskirts of Sao Paulo, and has never been anywhere near Brazil’s first division.
Everton, meanwhile, has won the Copa Libertadores - South America’s Champions League - with Gremio and can now point to a Copa America winner’s medal.
Yet he appears to be less attractive and the difference appears to lie in his age.
Everton is 23 and this, from the point of view of many of Europe’s top clubs, makes him worryingly old.
He might fail to adapt. He might take a while to adapt. Either way, his sell-on value will suffer.
A youngster like Martinelli can be picked up for a lower price, can be groomed at an earlier stage in his career and can be moved on for big money.
RISK vs REWARD
The risks are lower, the potential rewards are higher. And so Everton is still waiting.
The only serious offer for his services came from China, and Gremio rejected it – apparently to the player’s displeasure.
The Brazilian media have reported he has changed agents in protest.
There is still time, of course, for a move to Europe this season - in the winter window - even if the Premier League window is about to slam shut.
Bordeaux, for example, had success with one Brazilian winger.
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Malcom did well for them on the field and even better on the bank balance when he was sold on to Barcelona.
And the French club may well be in the market for a South American winger, showing an interest in Cristian Pavon of Boca Juniors, another player linked with Arsenal in the past.
In the meantime, Everton could be forgiven for having one eye on the pitch...