Everton will reportedly compete with Serie A giants Fiorentina and Napoli for 21-year-old VfL Wolfsburg defender Aster Vranckx.
According to reputed Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Aster Vranckx is the subject of interest from Everton. The Toffees are scouring the market for a centre-back heading into the summer transfer window. However, the Merseyside club will face stiff competition from Serie A giants Fiorentina and Napoli for the 21-year-old VfL Wolfsburg defender.
Who is Aster Vranckx?
Aster Vranckx is one of the most promising young defenders in the Bundesliga. A native of Erps-Kwerps, he spent most of his formative years in his homeland, passing through the academies at SC Hoegaarden, KVK Tienen, and KV Woluwe Zaventem before graduating from the youth division at KV Mechelen.
However, he has risen in prominence since joining VfL Wolfsburg. The 21-year-old enjoyed a decent debut season with the Bundesliga outfit but spent the 2022/23 campaign on loan at AC Milan. The Rossoneri did not complete a permanent move last summer, and Vranckx was in and out of the starting lineup at Wolfsburg in the 2023/24 season.
The Belgian international managed less than 1,500 minutes of game time across 26 appearances in all competitions. Vranckx will enter the final 12 months of his contract with Wolfsburg next month, with the situation capturing the attention of several well-known clubs. Everton will be one of his prospective suitors.
Premier League move in the pipeline?
Everton’s interest in Aster Vranckx is understandable. The Toffees are in a spot of bother over the long-term future of Jarrad Branthwaite, with several high-profile clubs vying for his signature. Everton will be open to cashing in on the Englishman amid concerns over potentially flouting the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules.
However, a move to Manchester United might take some time before materialising due to a difference in valuation. Meanwhile, several centre-backs, including Maxime Esteve, have emerged on Everton’s radar, with Vranckx also a viable target for the Merseyside outfit.
But Everton will face stiff competition from Serie A giants Fiorentina and Napoli, with the two clubs also holding talks with Aster Vranckx’s representatives. Meanwhile, Wolfsburg will aim to keep hold of the 21-year-old by handing him a new contract. So, it will be interesting to see if Everton can win the race to sign the Belgian international this summer.
