View: History not on Everton’s side as interest in overseas player emerges

Everton pursuit of Atalanta Italian right-back Raoul Bellanova is intensifying, but the club's recent history and fresh financial woes cast a long shadow over the potential deal. Manager David Moyes is reportedly keen on the 26-year-old wing-back, who has spent two seasons with Atalanta, as the Toffees urgently seek to strengthen a problematic defensive flank. This interest surfaces amidst a startling new development: Everton has been ordered to pay nearly £40 million in compensation to Burnley for breaching Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) in the 2021-22 season, a decision they are appealing. The stakes for Everton are exceptionally high. The £40 million compensation payout to Burnley, on top of previous point deductions for PSR breaches, severely constrains their transfer budget and amplifies the risk associated with any new signing. While Bellanova's attacking profile – including nine assists in the 2024-25 season – makes him an attractive option, particularly after the departure of long-serving captain Seamus Coleman, his 2025-26 season at Atalanta saw only one direct goal involvement in 15 Serie A starts, raising questions about consistency. This makes his reported €20 million (£17 million) valuation from Atalanta a significant gamble for a club under intense financial scrutiny and competing with other Premier League suitors like Nottingham Forest and Newcastle. With the summer transfer window now fully open, all eyes are on how Everton navigates these turbulent financial waters. Their appeal against the Burnley compensation order will be crucial, potentially freeing up vital funds if successful. The club's capacity to negotiate Bellanova's fee down or offer an attractive package will determine if Moyes can secure his primary right-back target, or if Everton 'history' of high-risk, overseas transfers, often exacerbated by financial constraints, will once again preclude a successful outcome. The coming weeks will reveal if the Toffees can defy past patterns to rebuild their squad effectively.