A player Everton allowed to leave for free this summer is now reported to be on the verge of joining a club in the Champions League.
The Toffees have released a number of players this summer as David Moyes and the Friedkin Group look to reshape the squad
Mason Holgate, Ashley Young, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Abdoulaye Doucoure are just some of the players who have left Everton in recent weeks.
Holgate and Young have both found new clubs, joining Al-Gharafa and Ipswich Town respectively – and now another player could be set for a big move.
Joao Virginia closing in on Sporting CP move
The player in question is Joao Virginia, who is reported to be closing in on a move to Sporting CP.
The Portuguese goalkeeper has a deal practically completed with the Primeira Liga champions, according to Record.
Virginia is reportedly set to return to his former club as a replacement for Franco Israel, who is leaving to join Torino.
The former Everton keeper is said to be about to sign a three-year deal at Sporting after leaving Merseyside.
Everton have since signed Mark Travers as Virginia’s replacement.
READ MORE: ‘He’ll be a star’… Everton fans call for one player to get more game time, he was ‘the only positive’ vs Blackburn
How Joao Virginia fared at Everton
Virginia actually joined Everton’s academy to begin with, making the move from Arsenal’s youth setup in 2018.
He took in three loan spells while at Everton, linking up with Reading, Cambuur and Sporting CP.
Virginia had the unfortunate job of deputising for Jordan Pickford, an Everton legend, an ever-present between the sticks and one of the best keepers in the league.
As a result, the Portuguese only managed eight competitive appearances while at Goodison Park, but he was solid when called upon.
However, Virginia is on the brink of a great move at a club that will be challenging for the title once again, along with competing in the Champions League.
Leave a Reply