As per GOAL, Everton is reportedly considering a potential move to secure the services of Corinthians’ center-forward, Yuri Alberto, ahead of the 2023/24 season. The club is said to be deliberating on whether to make a formal offer for the Brazilian striker, but no contact has been made between the two teams thus far, writes the FFC.
The report suggests that Everton’s retention of Premier League status has bolstered their chances, and Sean Dyche’s side possesses the financial capability to be active in the transfer market. Yuri Alberto, a 22-year-old Brazil international, is valued at £11m according to Football Transfers, and his potential arrival would present a significant challenge for Everton’s forward, Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Calvert-Lewin, an England international, enjoyed a remarkable run, scoring 29 Premier League goals across the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons combined. However, his form has significantly declined over the past two years. Since the start of the 2021/22 season, Calvert-Lewin has managed to score seven goals and provide three assists in 34 top-flight appearances, including two goals in 17 matches this term.
In the ongoing season, the 26-year-old Everton striker maintained an average Sofascore rating of 6.74 across 17 league appearances. He contributed two goals and one assist while achieving a pass success rate of 61%.
On the other hand, Alberto, who is four years younger, recorded an average Sofascore rating of 6.88. He made 20 appearances in the Brasileiro Serie A in 2022, scoring eight goals and providing one assist. His pass completion rate stood at 68%.
The former Santos player, highly praised as “dangerous” and “powerful” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has an impressive career record of 30 goals in 94 Serie A matches thus far.
These statistics indicate that Alberto, with his potential and proven track record in the Brazilian top-flight, has the capability to be a dependable goal scorer for Everton if he can adapt to English football. Conversely, Calvert-Lewin’s contributions for Everton in the English Premier League have been limited. The striker has struggled to score or assist consistently, frequently giving away possession with loose passes.
These comparisons suggest that Alberto has the quality to surpass the England international and potentially become the preferred striker at Everton, which would leave Calvert-Lewin as a second-choice option and spending more time on the bench.