Everton attempted to sign 24-year-old Portuguese midfielder Florentino Luis from Benfica, who rejected the Merseyside club’s bid.
According to a report by Graeme Bailey on HITC, Florentino Luis is the subject of interest from Everton. The Merseyside club even submitted an offer to sign him from Benfica. However, the Portuguese giants have knocked back the bid for the 24-year-old midfielder. Meanwhile, other Premier League clubs are also keen on signing him.
Who is Florentino Luis?
Florentino Luis is a native of Lobito in Angola but spent his formative years in Portugal. A graduate of the Benfica youth division, the Portuguese midfielder took some time to establish a foothold in the first-team squad at Estadio da Luz. But he had to wait until the 2022/23 season to make his mark at the club.
It took two loan spells for the 24-year-old to stamp his authority at the club level. But he has not looked back since becoming a regular for Benfica last season. But game time has taken a hit for Luis this term, as he has managed a little over 1,000 minutes of game time, starting 12 games.
Such a situation has not gone unnoticed, with several well-known clubs keen on signing him. Recent reports have linked Florentino Luis with Premier League and La Liga clubs like Fulham and Barcelona. He has now emerged as a target for Everton, who made an offer to secure his services.
Everton Want Florentino Luis
Everton’s interest in Luis is hardly surprising. The Toffees are in a spot of bother over the future of Amadou Onana. The Belgian international is a hot property in the transfer market, with Barcelona, Manchester United, and Newcastle United among his prospective suitors.
In addition, Idrissa Gueye, Abdoulaye Doucoure, and Andre Gomes face an uncertain future at Goodison Park. So, it behoves Everton to delve into the market for a midfielder. Florentino Luis is thus a viable target, although the Merseyside club’s offer to Benfica has not been successful.
The Portuguese giants have turned down the bid for the 24-year-old midfielder. It will be interesting to see if Everton will present an improved offer to sign Luis from Benfica in the final hours of the January transfer window.
