Report: Everton want Santos Laguna centre-back Matheus Doria

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Spanish website Todo Fichajes have claimed that Everton are interested in signing Brazil international Matheus Doria from Mexican side Santos Laguna ahead of the January transfer window.

Everton are likely to be after a centre-back after losing both Phil Jagielka and Kurt Zouma at the end of last season, and failing to bring in another centre-back in the summer – leaving Marco Silva with just Yerry Mina, Mason Holgate and Michael Keane.

Doria, 24, joined Marseille as a teenager in the summer of 2014 after 68 appearances for Brazilian side Botafogo. However, he struggled to get going in France – managing just 33 appearances in four seasons at the club.

Instead, he went on loan to Granada in Spain, Sao Paulo in his home country and Turkish outfit Yeni Malatyaspor. He joined Santos Laguna just over 12 months ago for a bargain £1.8million, and he has since impressed in Mexico.

He has since clocked up 45 outings for Santos Laguna, and is developing a reputation as a goalscoring defender – scoring five goals for Laguna. He has two for Botafogo (in 68), two for Marseille in (33), one for Sao Paulo (in 13) and one for Yeni (in nine).

Everton are said to be interested in Doria, who has one Brazil cap. It is believed Laguna will not make his exit easy, but that Everton have already ‘tested’ Laguna over the defender. His asking price is a bargain £10.5million.

TBR’s view – Everton need a defender, and Doria is improving

The question that remains, though, is whether Doria is a better player than the one that was forced to leave Marseille on loan three times in four years. Everton will fancy themselves as a side better than the French club.

But if Doria is unable to make his mark at Marseille, how will he do so at Everton? The past 12 months have been hugely successful for the Brazil cap in the quickly-improving Mexican league. But it is another level in the Premier League.

Marco Silva and Marcel Brands have made some excellent signings, but also some rather questionable ones – Mina springs to mind. But at just £10.5million, Doria may be worth a punt as cover for Keane and Mina.