‘Always liked the English league’: £32m attacker hints at summer move, Everton tried to sign him last year

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A player Everton reportedly tried to sign last year says he’s “ready to take it to the next level” and admits he’s a big fan of the Premier League.

The Toffees were said to be one of the teams interested in Yeferson Soteldo, a 23-year-old attacker who plays for Brazilian giants Santos and the Venezuela national team.

Speaking to Calciomercato last year, Santos president Jose Carlos Peres said Everton and Inter Milan had asked him about the availability of the £32million-rated ace.

“In January (2020), Ancelotti’s Everton tried to sign him on loan, but we’re making clear we’ll let him go only if it’s a permanent move,” he said.

Fast-forward just over a year, and Soteldo admits that, though he is happy at Santos, he feels ready to make the next step in his career.

Soteldo has even hinted at a potential move, saying “we’ll see” about his future after the Copa America, which takes place in June and July, and made it clear he likes the English league.

“Today I can say that I’m ready to take it to the next level, although I feel good here at Santos,” he told the FIFA website.

“We’ll see after the Copa America. I’ve always liked the English league.”

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Soteldo is a highly rated attacking player who has clocked up 80 competitive appearances for Santos, registering 17 goals and 15 assists.

At 5ft 2in, there may possibly be questions over whether he could adapt to the physicality of the English game, but he certainly has the skills to dazzle in the division.

With Bernard potentially on the way out of Goodison, could Ancelotti turn to another South American left-sided player?