Everton are interested in a deal to bring Joaquin Correa to Goodison Park this summer.

What's the talk?

That's according to a report by Italian media outlet Calciomercato, who claim that Rafael Benitez's side are keeping a very close eye on the situation of the Lazio attacking midfielder ahead of a potential move in the summer transfer window.

However, the report goes on to state that Inter Milan are also in the race for the 26-year-old, with Simone Inzaghi believed to be keen to set up a reunion with his former player at the San Siro next season.

It is then claimed that Inter are preparing themselves for a tussle with the Toffees in order to secure the services of the Argentina international, for whom it is believed Maurizio Sarri would be demanding at least €35m (£30m) in order to part with this summer.

Bernard upgrade

Considering just how impressive Correa was for Lazio last season, in addition to the fact that Bernard has recently moved onto pastures new, it is easy to see why Benitez is considering a move for the attacking midfielder ahead of next season.

Indeed, over his 28 Serie A appearances for I Biancocelesti last term, the £27m-rated man scored eight goals, registered three assists and created three big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.9 shots and making one key pass per game.

These returns saw the man Rahul Warrier dubbed a "menace" earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.96, ranking him as Lazio's joint fifth-best performer in the top flight of Italian football.

The former Sevilla man also highly impressed over his eight Champions League appearances last time out, bagging three goals, providing two assists and creating four big chances, seeing him earn an average SofaScore match rating of 7.11.

Furthermore, with Correa also being able to operate comfortably from the left wing, the signing of the £81k-per-week forward could be viewed as a replacement for the recently departed Bernard.

And, with the Brazilian having scored just one goal, as well as failing to provide an assist or create a big chance over his 12 Premier League appearances last season, it is not a difficult argument to make that the Argentine would be a huge upgrade on the £130k-per-week man.

Finally, it would also appear as if the 26-year-old would be open to a move to England, with it being reported that the Lazio gem has expressed to Sarri that he would like to leave Rome this summer, as well as the attacker previously claiming that he would "like to play in the Premier League."

As such, it would very much appear as if the opportunity is there for Benitez to land Correa ahead of next season, all that would seem to remain is the Toffees coughing up the money to begin talks with the Argentine.

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