As reported by ESPN, Liverpool are tracking the progress of Mexican prospect Diego Lainez after his performances in the U17s World Cup.
What’s the story?
While big money transfers for established talent usually make all the headlines, often as important for England’s top clubs is securing the future talent yet to make a name for themselves on the European football scene.
One such prospect Liverpool are hoping to steal a march on is winger Diego Lainez, who plays for Mexican side Club America.
That’s according to ESPN, who say performances in the recent U17 World Cup has alerted some of Europe’s top clubs to his talent, including Liverpool and Villareal.
Who is he?
Still just 17 and with limited professional appearances to this point, it’s hard to tell whether Lainez has what it takes to be a hit at Anfield, but he’s certainly already making an impression in his homeland.
He’s already into double figures for appearances at his club, despite his age, also providing two assists in that time.
He was the star of Mexico’s U17 team at the World Cup, netting twice against England in a match the country ultimately lost to the eventual winners of the tournament.
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With competition fiercer than ever to secure the future of the best teenagers around the world, if Liverpool believe in his ability then they should waste no time in bringing him to England. Not all of these types of moves will work out, but the potential to find a real star is too tempting to turn down.
Manchester United discovered on Friday afternoon that they will face La Liga side Celta Vigo in the semi-final of the Europa League.
Jose Mourinho’s side avoided Ajax and Lyon in the draw as they attempt to win their second piece of silverware of the season.
The EFL Cup winners will face a team that will be competing in the semi-finals for the first time in the club’s history.
Celta edged into the final four with a 4-3 aggregate triumph over Genk, while United left it late to seal their progression.
A 1-1 draw with Anderlecht in Brussels set the quarter-final second leg up nicely, but it took just 10 minutes for United to score at Old Trafford and put themselves in the driving seat.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s opener was cancelled out by Sofianne Hanni just after the half-hour mark, and after a few disallowed goals from United, the match moved into extra time.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s knee injury caused some concern, but Marcus Rashford took on the responsibility and found the winner.
The fact that the winner of the competition earns a spot in next season’s Champions League adds more importance to the campaign.
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Once the draw was announced, United fans tweeted their thoughts.
Rangers have been offered the opportunity to complete the signing of a talented free agent after holding talks over his availability this week.
Aarons overjoyed with winning goal for Rangers
The Gers secured a priceless last-gasp victory away to Livingston in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday, thanks to Max Aarons’ dramatic winner deep into stoppage time.
It was a huge moment for Russell Martin, easing an element of pressure on him as Rangers manager, and Aarons couldn’t hide delight at his goal after the game.
“I feel amazing to get my first goal here, but to get a late winner under the circumstances, it was great. To be honest I thought we were really good today in large parts of the game. Although if we want to make it easier for ourselves that has to be across the whole game, but I think we deserved that win.
“I have dreamt of that and to do it in front of the away fans was amazing. I want more moments like that and more success here. I think that is more how we want to look and more how we want to play, that first half especially we had a good few chances.”
Rangers have been criticised for not adding enough high level experience during the transfer window, but could still turn to free agents, and it looks as though one player in that bracket is on their radar.
Rangers offered chance to sign free agent midfielder
According to Mark Hendry on his Substack, Rangers have been offered the chance to sign Pierre Ekwah, and he is open to a switch to Ibrox.
He reports that the 23-year-old “had his Saint-Etienne contract terminated by mutual consent back on September 1 and is on the lookout for a new club”, with the Gers “contacted by the player’s entourage” to determine whether a move is viable. He is a sought-after player, with clubs in Italy and Belgium keen on him, as well as some in England.
Sunderland midfielder Pierre Ekwah.
Ekwah’s time at Saint-Etienne may not have ended too well, but he is a talented young footballer who has been rated highly for some time, making 61 appearances for Sunderland earlier in his career.
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The Frenchman is a defensive midfielder by trade, but his versatility allows him to shine in a more attack-minded midfield role, as well as at centre-back. Meanwhile, former teammate Aimen Moueffek has heaped praise on Ekwah as a player, lauding his qualities both on and off the pitch.
“Pierre has relieved us, already because he’s as good a person off the pitch as he’s on the pitch, but also because his defensive strength is a major asset for the team. In addition to that, he has real quality to his game.”
Worse than Tavernier: Martin must drop Rangers flop who was saved by Aarons
Glasgow Rangers head coach Russell Martin must drop this flop who was saved by Max Aarons against Livingston.
ByDan Emery
Ekwah has the same agent as £72m Arsenal flop Nicolas Pepe, who has redeemed himself since leaving the Gunners, and the former Sunderland man will be hoping they can help him perform a similar career redemption after leaving France in controversial fashion.
Reliable journalist Paul Joyce has claimed that Everton are interested in sealing a stunning move for a “special” attacking player this summer.
Moyes eyeing big future at Everton
After some grim seasons of late, which have included several relegation battles in the Premier League, there is a feeling of positivity with the Toffees, not least because David Moyes has returned as manager, easily steering them to safety ahead of the move to their new stadium.
The Scot has been forceful about how he is expecting a better future at Everton with him in charge, with the hope being that funds will be made available for important transfer business.
“I think more the feeling [is] that there might be a club which is coming back together. Signs that before there was a real break-up, of a sort of love affair with the supporters, the players, the club, the owners. So we’re all trying to get back. We’re obviously all looking forward to it. If we can take what we had today to the new stadium, it’ll be something.”
Everton manager DavidMoyesbefore the match
New signings are needed in various areas of the pitch for Everton, not least in attack, with goals coming at a premium at times this season, with 41 goals scored in 37 games. Now, a shock rumour has emerged regarding a potential attacking signing for the Merseysiders.
Everton keen on "special" Liverpool player
According to the reliable Joyce of The Times, Everton “hold an interest” in Liverpool winger Ben Doak, seeing him as an option to bring in this summer.
The 19-year-old has spent this season on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough, with the Reds unable to give him regular playing time, and a permanent move away from Anfield could now be on the cards.
The idea of Everton signing Doak is a mouthwatering prospect, not only because of the stunning nature of taking him from rivals Liverpool, but also due to his long-term potential.
The teenage winger is already a six-cap Scotland international, and he was enjoying a fruitful time loan at Middlesbrough before injury struck in January, bagging 10 goal contributions (three goals and seven assists) in the Championship.
Doak also caught the eye of Jurgen Klopp during their time together at Liverpool, with the German clearly a big admirer of the Scot, saying: “Special boy. Really confident, has something nobody else delivers, really; this kind of dribbling, this kind of straight-forward bravery, all these kinds of things.”
Moyes' next Branthwaite: Everton plotting bid to sign "elite" £17m star
Everton are gearing up for a summer of change in the transfer market.
ByAngus Sinclair
Forgetting the Liverpool connection, Doak is a hugely exciting footballer who could reach great heights with his pace and unpredictability in the coming years, and while the Reds may be hesitant to sell to their rivals, Everton should look to strike a deal.
Tottenham Hotspur will consider hiring an “impressive” new manager if they decide to sack Ange Postecoglou, and one who’s been talked about as a head coach to potentially step into Pep Guardiola’s shoes at Manchester City.
Ange Postecoglou facing Tottenham supporter backlash amid dismal season
Postecoglou’s side have slipped to 15th in the table and have already lost 12 Premier League games this season, which makes for very alarming viewing from the perspective of a Lilywhites supporter.
Tottenham identify "class" £4.5m-per-year coach to potentially replace Ange
Spurs are doing their due-diligence on alternative managers.
ByEmilio Galantini
Injuries to key players have seriously handicapped Postecoglou this term, with 10 senior stars currently sidelined right now, but there are also serious question marks surrounding the Australian’s open style of play and tendency to leak goals.
This was on full display in their latest defeat, a 3-2 loss to Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday, where they went 3-0 down at half-time. Calls for Postecoglou’s sacking have intensified in the wake of Spurs’ loss on Merseyside, with reports suggesting that Tottenham have shortlisted potential managerial targets in the event they decide to part company.
Tottenham’s next five Premier League fixtures
Date
Leicester City (home)
January 26
Brentford (away)
February 2
Man United (home)
February 16
Ipswich Town (home)
February 22
Man City (home)
February 26
However, for the time being, it appears the 59-year-old retains backing from his club’s board.
“The Tottenham hierarchy, as far as I understand it, continue to back Ange Postecoglou,” said David Ornstein on NBC Sports this week.
“They believe in him to turn this around. Of course, results are far below expectations, and they feel that they should have won more matches than they have lost. But that doesn’t mean that Ange Postecoglou is on the brink or he’s about to go.
“I think they still support him, and their reasons for that will be largely down to the injuries that he has suffered.”
Tottenham face a crucial return to Europe against Hoffenheim on Thursday, alongside their all-important Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg clash away to Liverpool soon afterwards, and these matches may well go a long way in determining whether chairman Daniel Levy sticks with the ex-Celtic boss long-term.
Tottenham set to consider Andoni Iraola if they sack Postecoglou
As per TEAMtalk, Spurs are indeed doing their due diligence on potential future replacements for Postecoglou if they do eventually decide to sack him.
One of their possible targets is Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, who has guided the Cherries through an incredible 2024/2025 campaign without their former star striker Dominic Solanke, who departed for Tottenham last summer.
High-flying Bournemouth are serious contenders to qualify for Europe and even sit just three points off a Champions League place, with Iraola’s excellent campaign in the dugout turning heads at N17.
TEAMtalk state that Tottenham will consider appointing Iraola if they sack Postecoglou, with the 42-year-old even tipped by some to potentially replace Guardiola at City, such is his growing reputation right now.
The Spurs hierarchy are said to be real admirers of Iraola, who has also been widely praised for his “impressive” job at Bournemouth over the last two seasons.
“It’s incredibly impressive and credit to Iraola,” said former Man City defender Nedum Onuoha on the BBC’s Planet Premier League podcast.
Meanwhile, Como manager Cesc Fabregas added:
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“I remember I went to see [Radamel] Falcao one day in Madrid, and he told me to come and watch a training session [with Iraola’s Rayo Vallecano side],” said Fabregas.
“I went there and I really liked it. I really liked the session, I saw exactly what he’s trying to do.
“He communicates really well with the players. He has a really good structure. I liked the setup of the training session, the format in which he builds it from a lower intensity to a higher one, and the concept that he was giving to the players.”
The transfer window has been closed for nearly two weeks now, but Manchester United are still continually being linked with new players as INEOS plan more business for the 2025 windows.
Man Utd and INEOS looking at free move to sign 28 y/o "battleship" in 2025
Manchester United already have their eye on one player they would like to sign in 2025.
ByBrett Worthington Manchester United plotting Unai Simon transfer
Erik ten Hag was backed by INEOS during the summer, as the club added three defenders, a midfielder, and a forward to their squad. But that doesn’t appear to be enough so far, as the Red Devils still have their eye on some big-name players.
Manchester United's summer signings
Leny Yoro
Lille
Joshua Zirkzee
Bologna
Matthijs de Ligt
Bayern Munich
Noussair Mazraoui
Bayern Munich
Manuel Ugarte
PSG
United are well stocked in the goalkeeping department; Andre Onana currently has the number one spot, followed by Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaten providing backup, but they are also eyeing a change in that area of the pitch.
It has been reported that Man United are “very interested” in signing Athletic Bilbao’s Unai Simon. The goalkeeper has been really impressive for the La Liga side in recent seasons and has now established himself on the international stage with Spain, playing a key role in their Euro 2024 success.
Those performances have caught the attention of United, who are said to be willing to pay a “considerable sum” to sign the shot stopper. While United weigh up a move for Simon, they are also looking at signing another established international star.
Man Utd now keen on "obscene" £35m target
According to Caught Offside, Manchester United are admirers of AS Monaco defender Vanderson. The report states that fellow Premier League side Chelsea are showing the most interest in the player, but United and Tottenham Hotspur are in the mix.
The 23-year-old, who has been with Monaco since January 2022, has really impressed for the French side lately. Vanderson played 20 times in Ligue 1 last season, scoring three goals and chipping in with one assist. The defender is in the 99th percentile for tackles when compared with right-backs in similar leagues, and FBRef ranks his combination of ferocious defending and attacking quality as a similar profile to Tottenham's Pedro Porro.
Vanderson, who has been described as having "obscene pace and acceleration" by U23 scout Antonio Mango, was linked with an exit during the summer, but Monaco selling Youssouf Fofana to AC Milan eased any pressure they were under to sell. The right-back, who has been capped twice by Brazil, is contracted until 2028, but the French side could be willing to let the player leave for around €35-40 million, which is roughly £29-35 million.
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Vanderson has started this 2024/25 season strongly, starting two of Monaco’s three league games, grabbing the assist in their opening day win against Saint-Étienne.
Leeds United have been prone to signing major flops – seen in the stinging example of Brenden Aaronson just last season – with the Massimo Cellino era at Elland Road notable for the amount of duds that entered Elland Road in quick succession.
The outspoken former Whites chairman bankrolled a number of expensive misfires during his turbulent three-year span as owner, with the current Brescia face buying a number of imports from his native Italy who would never settle in West Yorkshire.
This former centre-back purchased using the might of Cellino back in 2014 was yet another major flop from the circus Leeds became under the now 67-year-old, brought into the building alongside a familiar face in Liam Cooper but never becoming a captain-like figure like the current Whites man.
Massimo Cellino
Giuseppe Bellusci's transfer to Leeds
Costing the Whites around £1.6m to secure his services from Catania a decade ago – after initially joining on loan – Giuseppe Bellusci would join Leeds at a time where the playing squad was being taken over by an influx of exciting yet unknown Italian talents.
Bellusci would step into Elland Road in the same transfer window that Souleymane Doukara would follow suit from Catania, alongside the likes of Marco Silvestri, Mirco Antenucci and Gaetano Berardi all also joining from far and wide in Italy to play for the Whites.
Whilst the last name in that extensive list would go on to be adored by the Leeds masses – with Berardi retiring in West Yorkshire under Marcelo Bielsa after playing 157 games for Leeds – Bellusci would never quite be embraced in the same way by his new set of supporters.
The hot-headed centre-back would accumulate 61 games in total for the Whites over two dramatic campaigns, which saw the eccentric Italian have a horror-show debut for Leeds away to Watford to start his time in England on the worst possible footing.
Bellusci's cursed time with Leeds
Losing 4-1 away at Vicarage Road in his first match in Leeds white, the ex-Catania man would score an own-goal and pick up a red card all from a calamity-filled 57-minute spell in Hertfordshire.
Full Leeds lineup for Bellusci's debut
Watford 4-1 Leeds, August 23rd 2014
1. GK – Marco Silvestri
2. RB – Sam Byram
3. CB – Giuseppe Bellusci
4. CB – Jason Pearce
5. LB – Stephen Warnock
6. RM – Luke Murphy
7. CM – Rodolph Austin
8. CM – Tommaso Bianchi
9. LM – Michael Tonge
10. ST – Mirco Antenucci
11. ST – Billy Sharp
Sourced by Transfermarkt
Sent off alongside a much younger Sam Byram, who was a bright homegrown spark for Leeds at the time during his first spell with the club, it's fair to say the current Whites number 25 is far more popular to this day than the accident-prone Bellusci.
Bellusci would bow out of Leeds on a real sour note in the end, which started during his debut season when the Italian centre-back was pulled out of a starting XI against Charlton Athletic under the bumpy reign of Neil Redfearn, owing to a mysterious and unnamed injury.
Naming it as a "freakish set of events" in an interview by Redfearn at the time, which saw the likes of the aforementioned Doukara and Antenucci also pull up with coincidental knocks alongside the defender before the clash with the Addicks, Bellusci's relationship with the club would only grow more toxic until his permanent exit in 2017 to Palermo.
Defended as being a "strong character" by the outspoken Steve Evans during his brief tenure at Elland Road, not a single Leeds fan would have shed any tears when the Whites finally got rid of Bellusci after a topsy-turvy time in West Yorkshire culminated in the divisive defender being booed during a pre-season friendly before his contract was ripped up.
Leeds, with hindsight on their side after the scandalous Cellino era was up, would have cursed their decision to sign the former £1.6m buy with his pay packet also burning a hole in the Whites' back pocket.
Offering up spectacular moments like this free-kick every so often wouldn't even result in Bellusci ever going down as a much-loved if misunderstood star, with the now Ascoli man also earning more than Archie Gray is currently during his rough two-season stint to be remembered instead as a big waste of money.
Giuseppe Bellusci's wage at Leeds
By the standards of Daniel Farke's camp in the here and now, Bellusci's wage doesn't feel too outrageous especially when you examine that Patrick Bamford and Georginio Rutter both earn £70k-per-week.
But, his £8.5k-per-week would drain Leeds dry all the same when you weigh up all the costs put together from his pay packet over two shambolic seasons on top of his original £1.6m transfer cost.
In total, the Italian dud would cost the Whites £2.9m in costs overall when that money could have gone towards strengthening the back four at Leeds with better quality talent.
Leeds' top earners – 2014/15
1. Stephen Warnock
£18k-per-week
2. Billy Sharp
£17.5k-per-week
3. Matt Smith
£15k-per-week
4. Luke Murphy
£14k-per-week
5. Granddi N'Goyi
£10k-per-week
Sourced by Capology
Bellusci's wage, in the context of the time, was arguably a bumper salary when you scan the table above too – the 6 foot 1 centre-back earning just £2k-per-week less than Granddi N'Goyi during his debut season who was in the top five highest earners, with his salary only £10k-per-week off dependable former Whites full-back Stephen Warnock too.
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As much as Rutter and Bamford rake in a substantial pay packet, 18-year-old Gray will feel harshly done by in the Whites camp now when assessing his meagre £5k-per-week salary next to Bellusci's wage.
Playing a crucial part in Leeds' big 3-1 win over Leicester City back in February, with his deflected effort on the night giving his boyhood club the lead, Gray has amassed 49 appearances this season and has left more of an impression on the Whites fans as a teenager than his £8.5k-per-week counterpart ever managed in the process.
Bellusci won't have sleepless nights wondering what he could have done differently with Leeds, however, and looks to be seeing out his career with little controversy back in his native Italy with Ascoli.
Leeds fans will just love having the likes of Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu in the heart of their defence under Farke, away from relying on disastrous signings to come good in a basket-case environment.
Leeds must now cash in on forgotten gem who is worth more than Bamford
Leeds United could look to make some profit on this forgotten man soon.
Manchester City are always in the market for up-and-coming talent, and they have started internal discussions regarding a player who is already thriving within the City Football Group.
Manchester City look to arrest Premier League slump…
For most sides, losing just once in their last six Premier League wouldn't be deemed as a slump, especially given when the sole defeat came at the hands of Aston Villa, who have put together an almost formidable run of results at Villa Park this term.
Nevertheless, Manchester City aren't like most sides, which is evidenced by the fact Pep Guardiola and his men are attempting to pull off a record-breaking fourth successive title in a row. Four draws, one triumph over Luton Town and a loss in the West Midlands have left the Sky Blues with work to do if they are to retain the league; however, they will hope to take confidence from their Club World Cup success last week.
Man City make "big-money" offer to "very unique" target; he's wowed scouts
City are in pole position to secure his services.
BySean Markus Clifford
Goodison Park awaits Guardiola's side in one of the toughest assignments they could encounter following their trip to Saudi Arabia. Speaking to official club media pre-match, Portugal international Bernardo Silva said his side must improve as they seek the Premier League crown: "First, we have to focus on the games left this month as it is going to be a very tough month with Everton, then Sheffield United and then Huddersfield in the FA Cup.
"Now we are really focused on the domestic competitions – especially the Premier League as we are not in a very good position. We can think about Copenhagen in the Champions League later on as we have some tough, tough games coming up."
Now, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has offered up the latest state of play regarding Manchester City's pursuit of a talented attacker who could arrive in the summer.
Manchester City discuss Savio deal
Taking to social media platform X, Romano has confirmed that on-loan Girona attacker Savio is a player City chiefs are "discussing internally" as they plan for the long-term under Guardiola.
On loan from ESTAC Troyes, the Brazilian wonderkid is operating under the umbrella of two clubs that are already in the City Football Group, creating a potentially complicated scenario that could eventually lead to the 19-year-old moving to Manchester.
Savio in action for Girona.
Labelled a "brilliant talent" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Savio, also known as Savinho, has registered five goals and five assists in 20 appearances across all competitions this campaign at the time of writing (Savio statistics – Transfermarkt).
Five similar players to Savio (as provided by FBRef)
Player
Club
Takefusa Kubo
Real Sociedad
Rodrigo Riquelme
Atletico Madrid
Viktor Tsyhankov
Shakhtar Donetsk
Jonathan Bamba
Celta Vigo
Julian Brandt
Borussia Dortmund
Harnessing the power of the player network provided by the creation of the CFG, Guardiola could now land himself a star of the future if negotiations go to plan.
Arsenal have long been craving a winger who will afford Bukayo Saka an element of rest.
The England superstar has played a huge amount of football in the last 24 months, failing to miss a single Premier League game in the last two years.
Signing someone to lift that burden, therefore, would be a good idea.
Who could Arsenal sign?
The Gunners haven't been linked with too many wingers throughout the summer. A year ago, they tried to sign Raphinha before making Pedro Neto a priority target.
However, another name has been Kaoru Mitoma.
The Brighton sensation is one of the most eye-catching in the Premier League and amid interest from Manchester City as well, has been touted at £50m.
Arsenal have been interested in the last few months too, and should player funds be raised, a late dash for the player in the window cannot be discounted, according to football.london.
What are Kaoru Mitoma's strengths?
The Japanese superstar is a dribble king. There are no two ways about it. This is a player who once studied the very art of doing so and his goal against Wolves on Saturday afternoon proved that.
He darted past three players from a run that started about 35 yards from goal. Cutting inside phenomenally from the left-hand side, he then weaved his way into the penalty area before finding the net in ruthless style.
Strengths +
Weaknesses –
Passing
Crossing
Dribbling
Aerials
Long shots
Interceptions
Lay-offs
That run encapsulated everything that is great about this "unplayable", "serious talent" as he was described by journalist Ryan Taylor last season.
Such a piece of play was reminiscent of a certain Saka too. Unlike Mitoma, he plays off the other side, cutting devastatingly onto his left foot. We saw that against Nottingham Forest last weekend as he moved inside towards the edge of the penalty area before curling a sensational finish past Matt Turner.
Clearly, they are two of the most exciting and tricky wingers in the division.
What supplements their similarities is FBref, who suggest that Arsenal's number 7 is in fact the most similar player to Mitoma.
As you can see in the data provided, when it comes to progressive carries and touches inside the opposition's penalty area, they are almost identical. Indeed, for the former, Mitoma ranks inside Europe's best 6% of wingers, while Saka sits inside the top 8%.
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With regards to shot-creating actions, 4.33 vs 4.60 per 90 minutes in favour of Saka, they are nearly on par and there is little difference between their assists per 90 minutes either.
Of course, Saka is the more complete player at the moment. He scored 14 times and registered 11 assists in the Premier League alone last season, but Mitoma, with his seven goals and six assists, wasn't too far behind.
Gabriel Martinelli has been devastatingly brilliant from the left-hand side over the last year, scoring 15 times and supplying six last term, but in the Brighton superstar, Arteta would unearth another mesmerising option down that flank, one who could potentially emulate Saka's influence at the Emirates.
Everton are in the market for new players as they look to put a terrible 2022/23 season behind them, but boss Sean Dyche cannot bring in new recruits for the sake of it.
That is a category Crystal Palace Jean-Philippe Mateta – a possible loan target for the Toffees this summer, according to French outlet So Foot – very much fits into.
Who are Everton looking to sign this summer?
Everton have already been linked with a whole array of players since retaining their Premier League status at the end of last month, including the likes of El Bilal Toure, Wout Weghorst and Tammy Abraham.
As the second-lowest goalscorers (34) in the division last season, behind only Wolves (31), and eighth in terms of goals conceded (57), there is not really a position Everton could not do with strengthening in the coming months – a goalkeeper aside.
Smart recruitment has not exactly been a buzz phrase around Goodison Park in recent years, though, with Everton far more accustomed to splashing out large on a flop than spending wisely on a player for the future.
While he may still only be aged 25, meaning his best years should be ahead of him, Mateta has done little in his time in English football to suggest he will provide Everton with value for their money.
How has Mateta performed at Crystal Palace?
Signed for a reported fee of €18m (£15.5m) in January 2020, initially on an 18-month loan arrangement, Palace have not yet seen a return on their investment.
Mateta has scored just eight Premier League goals in 58 appearances and netted just once in his final 30 games of the 2022/23 season. Despite those disappointing figures, Everton, Torino, Valencia and PSV are all reportedly weighing up a move for the former France U21 international.
In last season's Premier League campaign alone, the former Lyon player scored twice from 27 shots and had a shot-on-target percentage of 25.9. To put that in some perspective, no Everton attacker who featured regularly last season failed to hit the target as often.
Those problems go beyond simply finding the net, with football reporter Raj Chohan describing Mateta's decision-making on transitions as "woeful".
Mateta's numbers are very similar to those of Weghorst, another rumoured target for the hierarchy at Goodison.
Manchester United striker Wout Weghorst.
Like the Palace man, however, he has been a high-profile flop and failed to set the world alight during a temporary stint at Manchester United.
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That said, the Dutchman did just about edge out his positional peer for pass completion percentage (72.9 compared to 69.8) and goal-creating actions per 90 minutes (0.23 and 0.12 respectively).
Pivotally, he also scored more goals last term. Although Weghorst netted just once for United, he bagged eight in 16 Super Lig appearances for Besiktas in the first half of the season.
Everton fans may joke that any option is an improvement on what they currently have, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin's fitness issues proving to be a huge concern, but given Mateta's weekly wage of £50k and a likely transfer fee in the region of £8m if a permanent move is forged, they will be better off biding their time and looking elsewhere.