The club is in talks with Brazilian side Flamengo over making the 22-year-old’s loan deal a permanent one
Carlos Alcaraz is close to becoming the first permanent signing for Everton’s men’s team under new owners The Friedkin Group. The attacking midfielder enjoyed a successful loan spell after arriving on Merseyside at the start of February, scoring match-winning goals against Crystal Palace and, on the final day of the campaign, Newcastle United.
Everton have confirmed the club was in talks with Flamengo, his parent club, about concluding a deal for the 22-year-old and there is growing confidence that discussions will end positively.
Alcaraz was the only signing sanctioned by TFG in the January transfer window, his arrival coming against the backdrop of an injury crisis in midfield and attack.
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After impressing in the 2-1 win at Selhurst Park, where he created the opener for Beto and then produced the winner in the second-half, he went on to play important roles in the draws at Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brentford.
As players returned around him, manager David Moyes reduced his exposure to the starting line-up – though the Blues boss acknowledged this was influenced by the performance clause in his loan deal. Everton would have been obliged to make the deal permanent for a fee of around £12m should the Argentine have made nine starts.
Alcaraz returned to the first XI once the potential to trigger that clause had gone and was influential in the final games of the season. He produced an assist in the 2-2 draw against Ipswich Town, was involved in each of the goals in the 3-1 win at Fulham and then glanced in the winner at St James’ Park.
Moyes was tight-lipped about a move for the former Southampton and Juventus player after the Newcastle game but the club confirmed it was exploring a move on Monday.
On Wednesday evening The Times, supported by Brazilian outlet Globo, reported negotiations were progressing well and the ECHO understands there is growing confidence a deal to make Alcaraz an Everton player will be completed before the end of the month, with the Blues having priority in transfer talks for him until May 31.
TFG completed their Everton takeover in December and immediately pushed to strengthen Everton Women, signing six players the following month.
