Everton forward Beto could return to Italy in January, with AS Roma eyeing up a possible deal.
It would see Ukrainian striker Artem Dovbyk moving in the opposite direction.
Roma have been heavily linked with Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee, and have not given up hope of signing him.
The Dutchman has also been rumoured to be attracting the attention of Everton ahead of January.
However, a report now states that the two sides could look into a swap deal in the New Year.
With both Everton and Roma owned by the Friedkin Group, you’d imagine negotiations would be relatively simple.
It would not be a straight swap deal, however. Indeed, Everton would likely have to pay an additional fee for Dovbyk.
Beto has scored just twice in 18 games this season, with only one goal in 16 Premier League outings.
To say Everton need an upgrade on the 27-year-old would be an understatement. However, is Dovbyk the player the Toffees need?
COULD A SWAP DEAL WORK OUT FOR BOTH FRIEDKIN-OWNED CLUBS IN JANUARY?
The 28-year-old has also only found the net twice this season, having made 14 appearances in total.
Both strikes came in Serie A, where he has featured in 10 games so far this season. Of those 10 games, Dovbyk has played 323 minutes, meaning he’s scored a goal every 161.5 minutes.
Meanwhile, Beto’s two goals came in 757 minutes of football, equating to a goal every 378.5 minutes.
While each player has only scored twice, Dovbyk has played considerably less than Beto. However, the Ukrainian’s statistics still aren’t particularly inspiring.
His time at La Liga outfit Girona indicates that the forward knows where the net is, scoring 24 league goals in the 2023/24 season.
Indeed, Dovbyk finished the year as top scorer in the Spanish league, earning his move to AS Roma.
Since his move to Italy, he’s scored 14 goals in 42 games, equaling a goal every 3 games.
He also finished last season as I Giallorossi’s top scorer with 12 league goals, 17 in all competitions.
Indeed, his 12 Serie A strikes came in 32 appearances in the Italian capital. In contrast, Beto scored 8 league goals for Everton last season in 30 games for the Blues.
Dovbyk’s overall numbers are more impressive than Beto’s. He’s shown if he can be fed, he’ll find the net.
Perhaps this is one to keep an eye on.
