Report: Everton remain keen on Santiago Arias, £13.5m price-tag

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Everton are now aware of Atletico Madrid’s asking price for Colombian full-back Santiago Arias, who has long been linked with a move to Goodison Park. 

Goal is reporting that Everton remain keen on the Atletico right-back and that Los Colchoneros could be willing to do a deal if Everton pay his €15 million (£13.5m) valuation. 

Arias was heavily linked with a move to Everton last summer but decided to try and force his way into the starting XI at the Estadio Metropolitano. Unfortunately, the 28-year-old has once again largely been used as a back-up to England international Jonjoe Kenny. 

The reason behind Everton’s apparent interest is clear. Current sporting director Marcel Brands signed Arias from Sporting Lisbon during his time at PSV Eindhoven. In 2015, Brands told the PSV website that Arias was the ‘perfect model of the modern defender’ after the Colombian had signed a new contract with the Dutch club. 

It would, however, be a strange signing considering Everton’s current needs. 

The Toffees have a right-to-buy Djibril Sidibe, Jonjoe Kenny is thriving on loan at Schalke whilst Seamus Coleman remains club captain, all three excellent right-back options. 

Therefore, a move for Arias would have to see at least one, but more likely two, of the current Everton first-team to be moved on this summer. 

Which seems an unlikely amount of turmoil for Carlo Ancelotti to abide. 

But if Sidibe is not signed permanently and Kenny decides he has hit an Everton ceiling, then perhaps Arias could be a realistic option for Everton in the transfer market.