Report: Everton lead the chase for solid La Liga defender

Wed 29 May 2019 20:45, UK

Everton are said to be the ‘most interested’ side in Diego Llorente.

The Real Sociedad defender is hot property having impressed over the past couple of years in the Spanish top-flight.

The once-Real Madrid ace was limited to just 23 appearances in 2018/19 thanks to a string of injuries.

(Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

But it would appear interest is still high in the 25-year-old, with Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur having both also been mentioned in recent weeks.

suggest that the Toffees are actually in pole position to sign Llorente, with ‘contacts’ having taken place between the two sides.

Llorente – who has a £44 million release clause () – would be a fine signing for Everton and perhaps a necessary one too.

With Chelsea under a transfer ban, it could mean that Kurt Zouma does not return to Goodison Park.

(Photo by Maria Jose Segovia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The Frenchman is wanted on a permanent basis but Everton might be powerless to do a deal with Chelsea unable to sign new players this summer.

Zouma was a brilliant loan signing and he would be a big miss, but Llorente would be a solid replacement.

The twice-capped Spaniard doesn’t possess the same power or physical traits as Zouma but is very versatile and excellent in possession.

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