With David Moyes in charge and expected to have a major say on the ins and outs over the coming months, talks will take place over the future of some of the first-team players.
Joao Virginia, Everton’s 25-year-old backup goalkeeper, has made it abundantly clear that he’s eager to leave the club in pursuit of regular first-team football.
With his contract expiring this summer, he’s free to negotiate with other teams and his comments about La Liga – where he admires the culture and sees it as “like coming home” – signal his intent to move on.
Everton line up Branthwaite heir, £21m price tag will not put them off – report
Everton line up Branthwaite heir, £21m price tag will not put them off – report
Goodison News
6 hours ago
“The Spanish league is a league I love. Maybe one day playing there would be an excellent option for me, but it’s too early to talk; we have to see what happens in the market. I love Spain, its culture, and it would be like coming home.”
Virginia’s appearances this season.
Behind Jordan Pickford, the club’s established No.1, Virginia has been starved of minutes, a situation he’s openly unwilling to prolong.
He’s emphasised that playing time is critical for his development and his ultimate goal of breaking into Portugal’s senior national team.
His experience on loan at clubs like Sporting Lisbon and in the Championship and Netherlands has only reinforced his hunger for a starring role elsewhere.
While he maintains a good relationship with Pickford, praising his personality and game management, this hasn’t dulled his desire to step out of the shadows.
The Goodison Park outfit can’t afford to be caught off-guard, especially with Pickford’s importance to the squad as any injury or dip in form would expose a gap if no replacement is lined up.
Virginia’s youth, potential and La Liga interest make him a hot prospect, but for Everton, the priority is clear and they must start scouting a reliable understudy to ensure stability between the posts beyond this summer.
