Everton signed some top players under Carlo Ancelotti in the famous 2020 summer transfer window – and it’s fair to say some of those additions are talked about today.
Everton appointed Carlo Ancelotti as manager in December 2020 after some incredibly poor form under Marco Silva, and the Italian took the Toffees from 15th to ninth at one point in the 2019-20 campaign, before eventually finishing 12th.
However, it was the following summer that saw fans’ eyes light up. The likes of James Rodriguez, Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure came into the side, with a Boxing Day win over Sheffield United taking the club into second in the Premier League, before a tail off in form saw Everton finish eight points away from the Champions League.
But with the calibre of player that Ancelotti brought into the club still being talked about today, he’s given another glowing rendition of a new transfer target in Brazilian star Vitinho.
Burnley FC v Everton FC - Premier League
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Everton have seen Carlo Ancelotti give the green light to sign Vitinho after recent Brazil squad selections
Everton have been linked with a move for Botafogo defender Vitinho this week, with David Moyes keen on adding an attacking full-back to his ranks to bolster their European hopes.
Having previously turned out for Burnley in the top-flight, Vitinho boasts English experience, being labelled as ‘brilliant’ by former Clarets gaffer Vincent Kompany.
Even as recently as this summer, he won the Copa Libertadores and the Brazilian Serie A in his first season with the club.
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An overview of Vitinho's 2024/25 season.
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And those performances in his home nation saw Carlo Ancelotti hand Vitinho his Brazil debut in August – featuring at right-back with two starts against Bolivia and South Korea in two separate international breaks.
Although he has since been replaced by Real Madrid man Eder Militao and Roma wing-back Wesley, there is every chance Vitinho makes Ancelotti’s World Cup squad.
Everton could not have had better timing to sign Vitinho from Botafogo
Although Vitinho was relegated from the Premier League with Burnley, there was evidently enough in his locker to see Botafogo splash out for his transfer, and ultimately win the two biggest trophies for a Brazilian side – impressively in a double haul.
It’s a glowing recommendation to David Moyes from Ancelotti. The Italian utilised Lucas Digne in an exceptional manner at full-back, and if he sees Vitinho in a similar manner, that could be a huge win for the Toffees.
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“I want my full-backs to create more goals.
“Let’s be fair, at most clubs you need your number nines to be scoring. We’re not hiding away from that fact, but it should not take away from us needing our number fives to score from corner kicks, or assists coming from the full-backs.”
David Moyes has demanded more from his full-backs this season
Everton star Jake O'Brien in the Premier League vs Tottenham
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It’s not known how much Vitinho would cost, but with the Brazilian Serie A campaign finishing last week, there has never been a better chance for Everton to sign him.
And with Botafogo only paying Burnley around £7million for Vitinho’s signature, it wouldn’t be the flashiest piece of spending for The Friedkin Group to administer.
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