Everton target Correa wants Inter move, not to Goodison Park

Martin Macdonald

21 Aug 2021 14:18 CDT
3 min read

Lazio director Igli Tare insists that Everton target Joaquin Correa will likely be moving to Inter if a departure from the Stadio Olimpico eventually happens.

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Having sold star players Romelu Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi for big money this summer, Inter are looking to recruit some reinforcements with their means, as the club remains crippled by debt.

Reports emerged from Italy last week that the Nerazzurri were looking to recruit Correa from Lazio, but up until now, negotiations haven't developed.

Everton are also interested, but Tare has revealed that Correa plans to stay in Italy.

“We know Correa wants to leave Lazio, there is this possibility that exists with Inter, we’ll see what happens,” Tare told Sky Sport Italia.

“He is an important player for us, he knows that, it doesn’t entirely depend on us, but is in Inter’s hands. It’s also not just Inter, there is something abroad too, but the lad wants to remain in Italy.

“It has never been a proper negotiation with Inter, there are two parties who want certain things, but it’s not a proper negotiation process.

“The agents are doing hard work, we’ll see what happens. The important thing is that whoever remains must be happy to wear the Lazio jersey.

“Correa has always behaved professionally, even in this pre-season period, so we just need patience to see what happens one way or another.”

Everton's business this summer

Everton's biggest acquisition of the summer has been a manager, not a player, as former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez was controversially named as manager earlier in the summer, much to the chagrin of many Everton fans.

Rafa Benitez announced as new manager of Everton — © ProShots

In terms of incomings, The Toffees have barely spent anything, as the only high profile acquisitions have been Andros Townsend from Crystal Palace on a free and Demarai Gray from Leverkusen for £1.8 million.

Everton continue to be linked with a number of names in addition to Correa.

Benitez is allegedly keen on adding a central defender to his ranks, and Barcelona duo Clement Lenglet and Samuel Umtiti have been mentioned as targets in the past.

With outgoings, there remains major uncertainty over the future of James Rodriguez, as the Colombian is not part of Benitez's plans this season.

In fact, on a Twitch session this week, James admitted that he was unaware who Everton were playing this weekend, saying:

"I will start training on Monday, I think.

"On the weekend I will not play, I don't even know who Everton are playing, can you please tell me?

"I think it is away because the last game was here at home. Ah, against Leeds they play, away from home, against [Marcelo] Bielsa, a difficult game, let's see what happens, hopefully they win."