Everton are interested in signing Atletico Madrid right back Santiago Arias, according to the Liverpool Echo.
They report that Atletico’s sporting director Andrea Berta named the Toffees among three sides he is talking to in relation to Arias.
Roma and Paris-Saint Germain are the other two, apparently.
It remains to be seen whether Carlo Ancelotti’s summer recruitment drive will include Arias, but his pursuit of a new right back raises questions for club captain Seamus Coleman and academy graduate Jonjoe Kenny.
Coleman’s form has been a matter of debate in recent seasons.
But the decision not to make World Cup winner Djibril Sidibe’s loan spell permanent likely encouraged the Ireland international that he would be first choice this term.
At 28 years old, 53-cap Colombia international Arias wouldn’t be coming to Everton to sit on the bench and Ancelotti signing him would be a real challenge to Coleman’s starting spot.
The report says that a move for Arias may depend on Kenny’s future and if he was signed, Kenny, 23, may be wise to leave in search of regular football.
Kenny impressed on loan at Schalke last season and he looks perfectly set to challenge Coleman this term, with a long-term view to replacing him.
The homegrown talent would likely be more amenable to time on the bench than Arias, and he can use this season to try and learn from Coleman and re-establish himself at Everton.
That looks like an ideal arrangement at right back, from the outside.
But Ancelotti’s reported pursuit of an experienced right back in Arias would suggest the Italian doesn’t wholeheartedly agree.
Perhaps Kenny would be sold on to raise some money back on a player who is not a guaranteed starter in a summer where Everton have spent big, but that would seem short-sighted and a waste.
It would be interesting to watch that situation develop if Everton did beat competition from the Champions League finalists to land Arias.