Evanilson looks set to join AFC Bournemouth in a club-record deal (Picture: Getty)
AFC Bournemouth have agreed a €47m (£40m) deal to sign Evanilson from Porto, who was Manchester United’s ‘top striker target’ just two years ago.
The Cherries have moved quickly to replace their top striker Dominic Solanke, who they have just sold to Tottenham, securing an impressive price of £65m.
Evanilson, 24, is regarded as one of the most exciting players in Europe and United – who lost 3-0 to Bournemouth at Old Trafford last term – made him a No.1 target in 2022.
The Red Devils did not get a deal over the line, though, with Bournemouth now swooping in two years later as they look to wrap up a club-record move for the Brazilian.
The Cherries have booked in Evanilson for a medical and he will soon travel to the Vitality Stadium, according to reports, with the transfer moving at a quick pace.
News of Bournemouth’s agreed deal for Evanilson comes after some outlets claimed that the Cherries were considering a move for Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah.
The Gunners are desperate to offload their struggling striker but it very much appears that he will not be moving to Bournemouth in any way, shape or form.
Eddie Nketiah will not be moving to AFC Bournemouth this summer (Picture: Getty)
Andoni Iraola’s side look set to genuinely challenge for the Premier League top 10 this season – especially if they can get a deal done for Evanilson – who has been capped twice by Brazil and scored 25 goals in 42 games for Porto last term.
The south coast club already have a number of impressive stars in their squad, including Illia Zabarnyi and Milos Kerkez, who have attracted interest from bigger clubs.
Bournemouth finished last season in 12th – the joint second-best campaign in their entire 125-year history – in what was Iraola’s debut season as head coach.
Andoni Iraola has transformed Bournemouth into top-10 challengers (Picture: Getty)
They were just one point off 10th in 2023-24 – and 12 points off seventh – which is usually enough to secure a spot in the Europa Conference League.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth have also signed Julián Araujo from Barcelona this summer, who is a 23-year-old with 23 international caps for Mexico.
It appears to be more shrewd business for Bournemouth, who have paid just €10m (£8.5m) for the right-back, who has played over 100 games in Major League Soccer for LA Galaxy and spent last season on loan at Las Palmas in La Liga.
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