Everton plotting massive raid on Portuguese giants?

These are strange days at Everton. Five players have been announced before pre-season training was even underway, with who knows how many more set to arrive before the summer transfer window closes.

It’s clear that the Blues need further depth in attack, with Olivier Giroud and Wayne Rooney the presumptive favorites to be next in the door. Everton have been linked with extra midfielders like Marcelo Brozovic, too, in case someone like James McCarthy exits this summer.

Even still, the reports coming out of Portugal in recent days are baffling. Everton are rumored to be looking at a move for Mexican international Raul Jimenez from Benfica, as well as his teammate, defensive midfielder Andreas Samaris.

via WhoScored

Jimenez, 26, only scored 7 times this season for Benfica. In fact, he’s not even the club’s first choice striker, with both Jonas and Kostas Mitroglou preferred. The El Tri man has no significant top flight experience.

Jimenez had a failed cup of coffee at Atletico Madrid during the 2014-15 campaign. Most of his professional career has been spent in Liga MX at Club America. There is, quite frankly, not a single piece of evidence that suggests he’s worth the €50 million asking price.

via WhoScored

The links to midfielder Andreas Samaris make a slight bit more sense, but only slight. Gareth Barry’s age means that Ronald Koeman will need a deputy for Morgan Schneiderlin sooner than later, but acquiring a 28 year old - for €20m - with no top-level experience is likely a bad idea.

In truth, Benfica may be taking advantage of Everton’s newfound prowess in the transfer market. Smaller teams than Everton, like Newcastle, want to buy a player from the Portuguese club, who in turn say “well, increase your bid, because we bet Everton would pay us this much.”

Everton will be buying more players this summer. Don’t expect them to include Raul Jimenez and Andreas Samaris.