Everton launch a £25.5 million deal to recruit Florentino Luis; Benfica decide on offer…….

Everton launch a £25.5 million deal to recruit Florentino Luis; Benfica decide on offer.

Everton have made a £25.5 million approach to recruit Portuguese midfielder Florentino Luis from Benfica, according to Correio da Manha.

According to journalist Antonio Pereira on page 11 of the Portuguese publication’s May 31 edition, Everton has made an initial proposal for Florentino, but Benfica president Rui Costa is looking for an additional £8.5 million.

The 24-year-old is one of numerous defensive midfield possibilities on Sean Dyche’s shopping list, having appeared 38 times in all club competitions for Liga Portugal’s runners-up this season.

According to Pereira, “Rui Costa intends to receive an additional ten million euros.”

“Benfica are willing to negotiate for the 24-year-old midfielder, but at a price he feels reasonable. Florentino’s contract runs until 2027 and includes a 120 million euro release clause.

Everton’s defensive midfielder search steps up

Dyche and the Goodison Park recruitment team are wasting no time in improving this Everton group, which the Blues manager will also hope to keep as tight-knit as possible with limited outgoings – though Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin could be tempted.

Everton have been connected with a number of’six’-style deep-lying midfielders, including Wilfred Ndidi and Ao Tanaka, with Amadou Onana receiving high-profile interest and Dyche clearly highlighting the area as a crucial component for improvement.

Florentino has a strong age profile and has represented Portugal at the Under-21 level, and a move to the Premier League is expected to improve his prospects of earning his first senior cap.

The Toffees will also have to be cautious about their financial approach to this summer window, with the club seemingly resigned to sacrificing at least one of their prized assets before the start of pre-season in order to comply with the PSR judgment that has tormented them during the previous season.

Florentino would undoubtedly boost the Goodison fans, and Costa and Benfica’s reports indicate that the midfielder is available for a fee.

In other Everton news, the club has reportedly entered the competition to sign a West Ham United player.