Everton transfer gossip: Blues closing in on Porto winger Luis Diaz with James Rodriguez potential makeweight

The summer transfer window is nearing its climax and things seem to be hotting up at Goodison Park.

Rafa Benitez has brought three fresh faces to Everton this summer in Demarai Gray (Bayer Leverkusen), Andros Townsend (Crystal Palace) and Asmir Begovic (Bournemouth).

But as we build towards the cut-off point at 23.00BST on Tuesday, August 31, the Blues will likely continue to be linked with fresh faces and Benitez will want a few more through the door.

In addition, we could see a number of players depart Everton - including one key man.

We round up the latest transfer news and gossip coming out of the blue half of Merseyside on Friday.

Diaz closing in on move - with James a makeweight

Everton are closing in on Porto winger Luis Diaz.

The Blues are willing to pay £21.5 million for the Colombian, who scored 11 goals in 47 appearances last season.

And as a makeweight, James Rodriguez could join the Portuguese outfit on a season-long loan. Rodriguez has been told he’s not part of Benitez’s plans.

Diaz, 24, has been linked with Chelsea and Tottenham this summer. (talkSPORT)

Richarlison’s agent in Paris

Richarlison’s agent has been in the French capital holding discussions with Paris Saint-Germain over a potential move.

PSG have earmarked the Brazilian as a replacement for Kylian Mbappe, with Real Madrid bidding £146 million for the 22-year-old.

Richarlison’s representative, Giuliano Bertolucci, has been holding talking with the petrodollar-funded PSG about the striker joining Lionel Messi at the Parc des Princes.

Brazil team-mate Neymar has been pushing for the Ligue 1 outfit to recruit Richarlison this summer (ESPN Brazil).

Kean eyed as Ronaldo’s replacement

Moise Kean could be set for a shock return to Juventus to replace Cristiano Ronaldo.

The striker has struggled since joining Everton from the Old Lady for £25 million in the summer of 2019, scoring only four times in 39 appearances.

He spent last season on loan at Paris Saint-Germain where he bagged 17 goals in all competitions.

Kean was given a straight red card in his first start for the Toffees this term in Tuesday night’s 2-1 defeat of Huddersfield in the Carabao Cup and there’s been speculation about his future throughout the summer.

Juventus are exploring the option of bringing Kean back to Italy on a season-long loan with the obligation to buy for £21 million next summer.

The Turin-based outfit are looking for someone to potentially fill the void of Ronaldo, who is heavily linked with a move to Manchester City. (SportItalia)

Maupay wanted

Everton are keen to bolster their strike force with Brighton’s Neil Maupay.

The Frenchman has scored 20 goals in 76 appearances since joining the Seagulls from Brentford two years ago.

Rafa Benitez is a fan of Maupay but bringing him in will depend on whether the Blues can first sell some players such as Moise Kean and James Rodriguez to raise funds.

The Toffees, ironically, travel to Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday where Maupay will be involved.

Marseille are also interested in the centre-forward. (Sky Sports).

Blues enter McKennie race

Everton have joined the race for Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie.

The USA international only joined the Old Lady from Schalke last summer and scored six goals in 46 matches in all competitions in the 2020/21 campaign.

However, McKennie does not feature in Juve boss Max Allegri’s plans for the forthcoming campaign.

A deal for the 22-year-old could cost around €30 million, with Premier League rivals Tottenham, Aston Villa, West Ham and Crystal Palace also weighing up moves. (Gazzetta Dello Sport)

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