The Blues are hopeful of signing the midfielder for £12 million from Flamengo
Sport
12:20, 29 May 2025
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Everton face tricky decisions aplenty this summer. So it makes sense they've wasted little time in getting the easiest one on the to-do list done.
On Wednesday news broke that the Blues were close to making Carlos Alcaraz their first signing of the summer window. The ECHO understands there is confidence a deal to make Alcaraz an Everton player will be completed before the end of the month, with the club having priority in transfer talks for him until May 31.
The fee to make the midfielder's loan deal permanent is in the region of £12 million.
The 22-year-old has turned in a number of effective performances since arriving on loan in the January transfer window.
Supporters have long been on board with the idea of his permanent acquisition before he scored the winner at Newcastle United on Sunday. Now it would appear as though David Moyes and the club's new-look recruitment team have been convinced too.
Fans took to the midfielder quickly. An impressive cameo on debut against Bournemouth in the FA Cup caught the eye. But when he was in the thick of the action during the ugly scenes after the draw with Liverpool? The Goodison Park faithful were sold.
For Alcaraz, that relationship feels significant. Perhaps more significant than it would be in a typical case of a new arrival.
The early stages of his career have been nomadic after all, having played for five clubs already at such a young age. Such instability has never been likely to facilitate and craft the talent Alcaraz possesses.
Assuming he does sign a long-term deal at Everton, he may finally have that. Life on the blue half of Merseyside appears to suit him too.
There is more to this deal than personal fondness though of course. There is clearly a player with raw assets for Moyes and his coaching staff to nurture.
Alcaraz has offered the Blues something completely different since his arrival. The Argentine's ability to carry the ball at speed in central areas has provided Everton with a genuine threat in transition, something that has been an undeniable catalyst in the team's improved away form.
The former Southampton man has chipped in with five goal contributions for the Blues, four of which have been on the road. Alcaraz is clearly no shrinking violet in tough environments, in terms of his personality or his play.
Plus, with Abdoulaye Doucoure set to leave the club this summer, there is a void in attacking midfield to fill. The Argentine has had a headstart on making that his own regardless of what other business Everton do in the coming weeks.
Improvements still need to be made. When faced with deep-sitting opponents and time in possession, Alcaraz has lacked the nuance needed to cut through defences on occassion, be it with his dribbling or passing.
Nevertheless, after an era in which Everton have made a number of high-risk transfers, this one feels like a rare beast. You have to really squint to see a downside.
Given his age, his versatility, his dynamism and his attitude Everton would be getting plenty for their £12 million. And if he flops upon signing a permanent deal? Alcaraz has shown enough and is young enough to suggest that Everton would get something close to their money back.
There is no indication that this is a deal that will go wrong though. Alcaraz has clearly settled at Everton and with more time to acclimatise to his surroundings - and with a full pre-season under Moyes to come - his trajectory should continue upwards in theory.
That rise will be on him, his coaching staff and his team-mates to varying degrees. But the signs point to this relationship being a prosperous one over the coming years.
And like in any relationship, sometimes you just get a feeling. This one feels right.