Have Everton signed a left back?

Everton have been loosely linked in the last couple of weeks with Colombian international left back Frank Fabra, who plays in Argentina for Boca Juniors. Earlier this week his agent had said that despite the rumours, there had been no contact with the Blues.

However, now Argentinian journalist Emiliano Raddi is claiming that a fee has been agreed upon and the player will be joining the Toffees this summer.

Translated:

Frank Fabra will be next Everton player. Last week his representative traveled to England and advanced in the offer he #Boca claims for the Colombian player. The offer would exceed 5 million Euros.

That is indeed interesting because earlier today SportWitness claimed to have spoken to his agent José Constanzo yesterday -

“We know of a supposed interest from Everton, but we have not met with anybody of the club. Now we did travel, we were in London, Manchester and Liverpool, taking advantage that the Argentine team played there.

“Boca will always ask for what the clause says, and that is fifteen million dollars (£10.6m). But they told us that if a logical offer comes for what the player is worth, they are going to sell him.

“I think he’ll end up playing in the Premier League. There are other teams looking for left-backs. So let’s wait for what is the best in money and sportingly and we will decide. Frank wants to play in the Premier. But Napoli can be a possibility too.”

Everton were rumoured to have scouted the player during the international break when he played for Colombia in the 2-3 loss against France. He made his senior international debut in 2015 and has picked up 17 caps with one goal in a friendly against Cameroon.

At 27, he appears to be a journeyman who has only left Colombia for the first time on his current stint at Boca, having played for Envigado, Deportivo Cali and Independiente Medellin previously. Fabra has come into his own since moving to Argentina, playing 52 games mostly at left back, scoring five goals and picking up eight assists.

There has been interest in the fullback from Italy, with multiple contacts being made by Napoli, and AC Milan having sent scouts to watch him in Argentina a few times as well. Corinthians in Brazil have made an approach as well, and Manchester United and Crystal Palace have been linked previously. Fabra will be going to the World Cup with an unfancied Colombia side managed by Josè Pekerman, but largely remains unknown outside South America.

This appears to be an underwhelming piece of business being conducted by Everton if true, especially considering some of the players previously mentioned like Manchester United’s Luke Shaw and even Bristol City’s Joe Bryan.