Everton reportedly want £34.5m striker who’s been compared to Ronaldo

Add as preferred source on Google

Everton are reportedly in pursuit of Rafael Leao, a player likened to Brazil legend Ronaldo.

Calciomercato wrote in June that the Toffees are big admirers of the 22-year-old striker.

But Everton appear to have Premier League competition for Leao’s signature.

Earlier this month, Gazzetta dello Sport claimed Wolves were in talks with Milan over their forward.

The Rossoneri are apparently open to selling one of Leao or Jens Petter Hauge this summer.

And Calciomercato reported in May that Leao has a price tag of around £30.2million to £34.5million.

“Better than Cristiano Ronaldo” as a youngster

Leao came through the Sporting CP academy, where coaches tipped him for stardom.

Tiago Fernandes, his former coach at the Lisbon club, even said he was “better than Ronaldo” (Cristiano in this case) as a youngster.

Leao only made five senior appearances in green and white – scoring twice – and in 2018, sealed a move to Lille.

The Portugal Under-21 ace shone in France and, just a year later, joined Milan for a reported £26.5m.

Leao has made 73 appearances in red and black, claiming 13 goals and nine assists.

His contract is reported to be £35,000-a-week and runs until 2024.

Everton eyeing striker set to become a “great player”?

The Birmingham Mail has spoken to Sporting CP youth coach Tiago Fernandes, who coached Leao.

“My first impression of him at 12 years old was that he was a rough diamond,” Fernandes began.

“He possessed a technical ability out of the ordinary and did things in games that nobody else was able to at that age.

“He was the type of player that solved games alone which reminded me of Ronaldo [Nazário], with his speed and his solid finish.

“I saw straight away that he was a unique player and that he would have a promising future ahead of him if he had a strong mentality and didn’t suffer injuries, he would go on to become a great player.”