Everton can put their panicky summer transfers right with a future swoop for Manchester United outcast Sergio Romero, as the Argentine goalkeeper plans showdown talks over his Old Trafford future.
What’s the word?
According to the Daily Star, Romero is seeking crunch talks with Manchester United Executive Vice-Chairman Ed Woodward after only being informed of his omission from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s 25-man Premier League squad through social media.
Romero is said to be "baffled and angry" with United bosses at their lack of communication, while already being frustrated after being dropped to the bench for last season’s Europa League Semi-Final defeat to Sevilla having kept seven clean sheets in the nine prior fixtures.
The 33-year-old has also fallen to fourth choice in Solskjaer’s plans behind David De Gea, Dean Henderson and Lee Grant, who has featured for the Red Devils just twice since his move to Old Trafford in 2018 for around £1.5million.
Romero had hoped to secure a move away from Manchester United this summer and grew ever keener to quit the Premier League giants following his omission from their Champions League squad, but saw a potential move to Everton collapse when the Red Devils refused to lower their £10m asking price.
The ‘keeper now intends to discuss tearing up his £100,000-per-week contract in order for United to allow him to leave on a free transfer, with talks with Solskjaer and Woodward likely scheduled for next week once Romero concludes a period of self-isolation after returning from Argentina.
Everton given a second chance
Everton’s intrigue in Romero was long-reported in the summer, with the shot-stopper the subject of interest as the Blues sought a cheap back-up for Jordan Pickford before returning with a loan approach on Deadline Day.
United’s demands ensured a deal could not be concluded for a goalkeeper Louis van Gaal lauded upon his capture in 2015, when the former Dutch international sought cover in case De Gea departed amid interest from Real Madrid.
“Sergio is a very talented goalkeeper,” Van Gaal said, via quotes by The Telegraph. “He was a young keeper during my time at AZ and I am delighted he is joining United.
“He will be a great addition to the team and I am looking forward to working with him once again.”
Manchester United’s refusal to accept offers below £10m ultimately led Everton to panic and brought Robin Olsen in on a season-long loan from AS Roma that features no option to buy and a responsibility to cover his wages in full.
The Blues’ deal offers Carlo Ancelotti an easy out next summer should Olsen fail to challenge Pickford, while now seemingly offering the Merseyside outfit a second chance to right the wrongs of this summer and secure Romero’s services if the Argentine is able to agree a mutual end to his contract.
It will be unlikely that Everton and Director of Football Marcel Brands do manage to lure Romero to Goodison Park, however, as their commitment to cover Olsen’s salary for the season will ensure they look poorly on the potential of signing another option and especially one who turns 34 in February.
Ancelotti also has Jonas Lossl and Under 23s prospect Joao Virginia to call on, making it unnecessary to sign a fifth goalkeeper in Romero unless Olsen's loan deal can be terminated early.
AND in other news, Everton appear to have dodged a bullet in a £13.5m man courted by Marco Silva in 2019.