Report: Everton have loan bid for Santos defender Lucas Verissimo rejected

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Everton have reportedly have a bid rejected by Brazilian club Santos for defender Lucas Verissimo.

According to UOL, the Toffees lodged a loan bid with an option-to-buy the 24-year-old, but were unsuccessful in their efforts.

Supposedly, Santos are in need of money and see Verrisimo as a means of raising funds.

It is thought that other teams from around Europe are looking at the South American centre-back, who has been standing out for Santos in the last couple of years after first breaking through to the first-team in 2016

Last year, Santos came second in the Brazilian Serie A and had the fourth-best defence in the division – with the influential Verrisimo featuring in 32 of the 38 league games.

Everton currently lack central defenders, with only Yerry Mina, Michael Keane and Mason Holgate available to manager Carlo Ancelotti.

TBR’s view – Everton need proven quality

Everton arguably need to be looking at options that can come in and bolster their backline – preferably players that have shown quality in one of Europe’s top five leagues.

Verissimo may have been impressing over in Brazil, but he would represent a bit of a gamble if the Toffees elected to go back in with a second offer, with the Premier League a big step up from the Brazilian Serie A.

Realistically Everton could do with an established leader rather than a relatively unknown entity.