Everton now in talks for versatile star who scored 'brilliant goal' in UCL; next 24 hrs critical

Everton have made an approach for Shakhtar Donetsk’s Pedrinho, according to Gazeta Esportiva (via Sport Witness).

Players in the Ukrainian Premier League have been allowed to temporarily leave their clubs and play in another country for the remainder of 2021/22.

They will be considered ‘out of contract’ players until June and are able to register with a new team until 7 April.

Pedrinho is a 23-year-old Brazilian right winger who’s also capable of operating in central areas or on the left.

Shakhtar shelled out £16.2million to sign him from SL Benfica just last summer. That made him the second-biggest signing in their history, behind former Everton man Bernard.

The Blues have made contact over a possible deal for Pedrinho, the report claims.

However, they face competition from Wolves, and significantly, it was Bruno Lage who brought the player from Corinthians to Benfica in 2020.

He’s apparently ‘moved’ by the possibility of a reunion with the Portuguese coach in the Midlands.

The expectation is that he will decide his next destination before Friday of this week.

How good is Pedrinho? Well, he’s played 19 games for Shakhtar, scoring four goals and providing three assists.

European football expert Alex Barker named him among the star players in the division and remarked: “My goodness, a lot of potential here.”

Pedrinho caught the eye last summer when he scored what sports journalist Josh Bunting called a ‘brilliant goal’ in a UEFA Champions League qualifying tie against AS Monaco, dribbling through several players before finishing with aplomb.

His talent and his versatility would perhaps make him a decent pick-up for Everton as they look to stave off relegation, but it looks like Wolves may have the edge in this particular