Report: Everton interested in signing £21m midfielder, has 24 caps for Argentina

By Ben Evans

According to Diario de Sevilla, Everton are interested in signing Real Betis midfielder Guido Rodriguez.

Frank Lampard’s side have yet to get going in the transfer market this summer, with James Tarkowski the only player arriving at Goodison Park so far in this window.

Diario de Sevilla’s report suggests that Real Betis need to make a sale to avoid exceeding La Liga’s salary cap and allow them to register their new signings, a situation similar to Barcelona’s.

And Betis have identified Rodriguez – who has 24 caps for as one of the players who could give them an injection of cash, valuing the Argentinian at £21m.

Everton’s midfield needs improvement, Rodriguez could be the key

Lampard’s midfield department needs a refresh before the season begins, with the former Chelsea manager unable to settle on a consistent shape or partnership in the middle of the park last season.

Donny van de Beek was used on several occasions by Lampard in midfield, but has since returned to Man United, while Gylfi Sigurdsson has also left the club.

Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure were the only natural central midfielders to make more than 15 league appearances last season, with Tom Davies, Jean-Philippe Gbamin and Fabian Delph unable to make an impact.

Andre Gomes also fell out of favour with Lampard, and the club are now willing to sell the Portuguese.

Lampard was so desperate for options that Mason Holgate and Alex Iwobi both players out of their most comfortable positions to give their manager more options.

Therefore, bringing in a player like Rodriguez, who is a natural defensive midfielder and was linked with Arsenal earlier in the window, would make a lot of sense for the Toffees.