Porto man could boost Everton’s backline in bargain January deal

Everton may have fallen short in their attempt to prise Ivan Marcano from FC Porto in the summer window, but our traders think the deal could well take place in January.

As it stands, they make it 5/2 for the player to make the move when the window reopens. And there’s plenty of reason to think the 30-year-old could be an ideal buy for the Toffees.

The towering centre-back played 46 times for Dragoes last term, helping the club to 17 clean sheets in his 32 league outings, as well as a place in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

With Everton aiming to secure regular European football under Ronald Koeman, the addition of a man who’s played 71 times in continental competition would offer a wealth of pedigree and experience.

Having captained Porto on 12 occasions last term, he could also offer real leadership alongside Michael Keane, who has a tonne of talent, but at 24-years-old is still fairly young for a first-choice centre-half.

Best of all, he could cost the Merseyside club a bargain £2m. Marcano’s contract at Porto ends this summer, and with the Portuguese side unlikely to convince him to stay, they’ll likely look to offload him while they can still get something in return.

For now, though, the current Toffees’ squad will be focused on Saturday’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park.

Everton are appealingly priced for victory at 5/2, while the attacking nature of both sides could make Everton to Win and Both Teams to Score a popular bet at 11/2.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing