Everton Back in Driving Seat for Malaga Star as Atletico Madrid See Transfer Ban Upheld

?Everton have been boosted in their pursuit of transfer target Sandro Ramirez after Atletico Madrid’s transfer ban was upheld on Thursday morning.

The Toffees were said to have been demoted to second favourites behind Los Rojiblancos in the battle for the in-demand striker, but the Premier League side are now firmly back in the driving seat after the latest development in Atletico’s fight to be able to sign new players.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld the La Liga outfit’s 18-month ban after the club had appealed the original decision – a guilty verdict after they had broken FIFA rules over signing child footballers – and, according to the ?Liverpool Echo, that ruling has now given Everton fresh hope of beating Atletico to Sandro’s signature.

Blues boss Ronald Koeman and the club’s director of football were caught on camera as they ran the rule over the 21-year-old earlier in May, and the Dutchman could now swoop for Sandro for a fee as little as £5m as he looks to begin making contingency plans in the event of Romelu Lukaku’s departure from Goodison Park.

The 24-year-old has been linked with big-money moves away from Merseyside, with Premier League champions Chelsea and north west rivals Manchester United believed to be in the hunt for the 26-goal striker, and Koeman views Sandro as an ideal replacement for Lukaku if the contract rebel opts to leave this summer.

Sandro’s contract with Malaga had the paltry release clause fee inserted into it following his free transfer move from Barcelona last July, and Everton will look to make the most of that loophole by trying to persuade Sandro that a move to England’s top flight would benefit his career massively.

The forward bagged 16 goals in 31 appearances for Los Albicelestes in his debut campaign at La Rosaleda stadium – a strike rate which has piqued the interest of Koeman and Walsh as they look to strengthen Everton’s attacking options ahead of a hectic 2017/18 fixture schedule.

Despite their transfer ban, however, Atletico are still in with a shout of signing Sandro. Diego Simeone’s side would be able to complete a deal to bring him to the club’s new ground, but they would be unable to register the Spain Under-21 international as a player until their ban ends in January 2018.

Everton, though, will try to convince Sandro that trading La Liga for the Premier League – and six more months’ worth of football – could give him a slim chance of making Spain’s squad for the 2018 World Cup if he helps fire them into contention for a top four spot next term.

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