Richarlison scouting for Everton at the Copa America

With his 14 goals last season, Richarlison made a big impact on the pitch in his first year with Everton. Now at the Copa America with Brazil, he’s looking to help the Blues in the summer transfer window as well.

The forward made his international debut last season, and since then has gone on to make 11 appearances for the seleção, Richarlison has looked good for Brazil, interchanging fluidly across the forward line and picking up five goals in those games.

In the last couple of months, the Blues have been rumoured to be interested in his Brazil teammate and fellow newcomer to the side David Neres as well. The Ajax Amsterdam winger has had a breakout season of his own, scoring 12 goals and picking up 15 assists in 50 games as he led his Dutch side to a domestic double as well as the semifinals of the Champions League.

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo after Brazil’s 3-0 win over Bolivia to open the tournament, Richarlison indicated that he was aware of the reports of Everton’s interest in Neres and had spoken to him too.

“Yeah, I read something about that.

“I’ve spoken to him about it already. I told him the doors are open for him there, and that he could help us a lot.

”I hope he comes. He’d be very welcome there. I’ve known him since we played together for Brazil’s U20 side, and he’s a guy I get along with really well. Hopefully I’ll see him there.”

Richarlison settled into the Premier League very quickly under Marco Silva at Watford FC before joining the Toffees in his second season in England, and is confident that Neres would have no issues adjusting both on and off the pitch with plenty of Portuguese-speakers at the Blues.

“Definitely. He’s a player who really attacks defenders and runs at his marker, so he’s got the right profile. With me and Bernard there, it would work really well.”

Rumours have it that Neres will cost about £40 million this summer with the player having just signed a four year extension at the beginning of the 2018-19 season. The forward himself remains coy about his future.

“I try to stay focused on what’s happening on the pitch, and on the competition I’m playing in. I leave those things to my agents to deal with.

”Of course the Premier League interests me. It’s the best league in the world, and I’ve always wanted to play there. But I leave all that in God’s hands.”

Following his starring performances for Ajax last season, there’s plenty of interest in Neres from multiple clubs, with Chelsea and Arsenal also reportedly in the mix, so any advantage Everton can get would be most welcome.