Everton launch £25.5m proposal to capture Florentino Luis, Benfica decide on offer

Everton have submitted a bid of £25.5m to capture Portuguese midfielder Florentino Luis from Benfica, according to Correio de Manha.

In page 11 of the Portuguese publication’s 31 May issue, journalist Antonio Pereira says that Florentino is the subject of an opening proposal from Everton, but that Benfica president Rui Costa is demanding a further £8.5m.The 24-year-old is among numerous defensive midfield possibilities on Sean Dyche’s shopping list, and has played 38 times in all club competitions for the Liga Portugal runners-up this season.

Pereira notes: “Rui Costa intends to receive another 10 million [euros].

“Benfica are open to negotiating [for] the 24-year-old midfielder, but for a price he considers fair. Florentino has a contract until 2027 and a release clause of 120 million euros.”

Everton’s defensive midfielder hunt steps up

Dyche and the recruiting team at Goodison Park are wasting no time in improving this Everton group, which the Blues boss will also be hoping can remain as tight-knit as possible with few outgoings – though the likes of Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin could be lured away.

Everton have been connected with a variety of ‘six’-style deep-lying midfielders, including Wilfred Ndidi and Ao Tanaka, with Amadou Onana receiving high-profile interest and Dyche explicitly seeing the area as a critical piece to improve.

Florentino is of a decent age profile and has played internationally for Portugal up to Under-21 level, and it’s felt a Premier League move will bolster his chances of a first senior cap.