Everton to IGNORE Kalvin Phillips’ transfer in Pursuit of a £17m Sensation Likened to Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo

Everton’s summer transfer window has been marked by a series of twists and turns, with the Toffees actively seeking to bolster their midfield options. One player who has consistently been linked with a move to Goodison Park is Kalvin Phillips, the Manchester City midfielder who has struggled to make an impact at the Etihad Stadium.

Phillips, who cost City £45m in 2022, has featured just 31 times for the club, resulting in a costly £1.4m per appearance. His lack of game time led to a loan move to West Ham United in January, but he failed to impress, making just ten appearances for the Hammers.

Given his recent decline in form, it would be a risk for Everton to sign Phillips, especially considering his high wage demands of £150k per week. The Toffees would likely need to contribute a significant portion of his wages should they sign him on a temporary basis, which could be a deterrent.

As a result, Everton may look elsewhere for midfield reinforcements, potentially reigniting interest in Richard Rios, a talented Colombian midfielder who has previously been on their radar. Rios, 24, currently plays for Palmeiras in Brazil and has also attracted attention from Manchester United, who are keen to rebuild their squad ahead of the new season.

Rios has been reported to be available for £17m, a price tag that is within Everton’s budget following the sale of Amadou Onana to Aston Villa for £50m. While the Toffees face competition from one of the biggest clubs in the division, Rios could be an excellent addition to their midfield.

So, why is Rios such an attractive option for Everton? The answer lies in his impressive stats and playing style, which have drawn comparisons to Moises Caicedo, the Ecuadorian midfielder who joined Chelsea for £115m last summer.

Caicedo’s move to Chelsea was seen as one of the biggest transfers of the summer, but Rios has already shown that he can match the Ecuadorian in multiple key areas. During the Copa América, Rios outperformed Caicedo in several stats, including passes completed, tackles won, and interceptions made.

FBref, a leading football statistics website, has ranked Rios and Caicedo as similar players, highlighting their comparable playing styles. This suggests that Everton could secure a talented midfielder at a fraction of Caicedo’s transfer fee, making Rios a potential bargain buy.

In conclusion, while Kalvin Phillips may have been a target for Everton, his recent decline in form and high wage demands make him a risky signing. Instead, the Toffees could turn their attention to Richard Rios, a talented Colombian midfielder who has already shown that he can match some of the best midfielders in the division. With a reported price tag of £17m, Rios could be an excellent addition to Everton’s midfield, providing a similar level of quality to Moises Caicedo at a fraction of the cost.