Everton among three PL teams ‘following the evolution’ of La Liga starlet

Everton are among three Premier League clubs that are interested in Real Betis midfielder Rodri Sanchez, according to reports in Spain.

The 21-year-old spent time at Real Madrid and Barcelona as a youth player. This was before he joined Real Betis in 2016.

The attacking midfielder broke into their first team last season. He played 15 times in La Liga before the end of the 2020/21 term.

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Sanchez has one goal and an assist from his seven outings for Betis this season. His current deal expires at the end of the 2023/24 season.

Spanish outlet Fichajes are reporting that Everton, Brighton and Southampton are all “following the evolution” of the midfielder ahead of the January transfer window.

The report adds that his price is low so clubs are likely to make a move for him in 2022.

Elsewhere, Neville Southall has praised new Everton boss Rafael Benitez:

“So far, it’s going ok so fans can be reasonably happy.

“Some a still a little bit unsettled with Rafa [Benitez], but he’s came in and got results and he’s doing well.

“I think people are pleasantly surprised, but still reserved to be fair. He’s not been in the job that long so eventually he’ll do well for us.

“He’s changed the attitude of the players which is immense, I think.

“They’re a talented bunch of players, perhaps their attitude at times wasn’t great. But now we seem to have them all working together.

“It’s been a delight for me to watch.”

Southall later heaped praise on Everton duo Demarai Gray and Andros Townsend.

He added: “Two people who have come in to work hard, that’s what you want from players isn’t it?

“That’s the idea. If people have got talent but don’t use that talent through hard work it’s stupid. These two have come in and they’ve set their stall out. It’s been a joy to watch.

“Money-wise it’s cheap, but I think what they’ve brought to the club is invaluable. What price would they be now to Everton? They might not be that much to anyone else, but to Everton you can’t put a price on it really.

“They’ve come with the right attitude, it looks like they’ve been given the chances, the manager trusts them.”