An update has emerged on Everton forward Richarlison, regarding Real Madrid's interest in his services.
What's the talk?
According to the Echo, there is a belief at Everton that Real Madrid are preparing an offer for Brazilian forward Richarlison this summer. Carlo Ancelotti is a big admirer of the man he managed at Goodison Park and could launch a bid to bring him to Madrid.
The report claims that the La Liga side value him at £90m, but it remains to be seen whether or not they are willing to make an offer in that region.
Fans would be livid
Marcel Brands must avoid a nightmare scenario by keeping Richarlison at the club this summer. The attacker is a key player for the Toffees and losing him, having already lost Ancelotti to Real, would be a bitter blow that would leave fans livid heading into next season.
Supporters would be furious if Richarlison departed from the club to go and join Madrid, unless a ridiculous transfer offer came in for his services. It would need to be a mega fee, possibly the £90m touted, for fans to understand Brands cashing in. Therefore, anything less than that would be a disaster for the Toffees chief and should be avoided at all costs.
Earlier this year, whilst he was still in charge at Goodison, Ancelotti lavished praise on the Brazil international.
"Richarlison is a modern striker, a complete striker, because he works really hard. His physical statistics are really high, like a midfielder - but he has speed and he is really clinical in the box.
"He is fantastic with the head and clinical in front of the goalkeeper and his movement without the ball is really good.
"I think he can be one of the top strikers in Europe. I'm sure he can because he has all these kind of qualities and he doesn't have a specific position on the pitch. He is really complete."
This shows how highly the Madrid coach rates the £90k-per-week gem and illustrates why he now wants to bring him to Spain. Richarlison managed seven goals and three assists in the Premier League last term for Everton, having provided 13 goals and three assists in the previous campaign.
His first appearance at the Olympic Games also showed the confidence running through his veins as he scored a hat-trick in the opening 30 minutes of a 4-2 win over Germany.
This proves that he can perform at the top level and be a threat in the final third, which is valuable for what the club want to do next season. Therefore, fans will want him to be kept hold of and that means Brands needs to reject any offers from Real, unless they reach truly dizzy heights.
AND in other news, Greg O'Keeffe drops Everton update that should leave fans buzzing...