EXCLUSIVE
‘Fox in the box’ Evanilson has ‘star quality’ to replace Dominic Solanke at Bournemouth – but Brazil form a warning
Bournemouth fans have been told they have a star on their hands as they secure 'fox in the box' Evanilson.
A club-record £40million deal has been agreed by the Cherries to sign the Brazilian forward from Porto.
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With Dominic Solanke leaving Bournemouth after five years to make a move to Tottenham, Evanilson has been brought in as his replacement up front.
And European football expert Andy Brassell has told talkSPORT that the striker looks set to be a more than capable substitute for the departing Englishman.
"(Evanilson has) a good goal-scoring record over the last couple of years," he explained. "Came back from an injury last season but looked really over it when he when he came back into the team.
"A classic fox in the box really. A big guy who can handle himself as well. So I can understand why there would be Premier League clubs interested in him."
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He added: "I think he's probably one of the less expensive good targets out there as far as centre-forwards go."
The 24-year-old began his career in his home country of Brazil, making a total of 26 appearances for Fluminense.
He spent a season on-loan to Samorin, before signing for Tombense - although he was immediately loaned back to Fluminense.
His time in the Brazilian top tier came to an end in September 2020 when he signed for Porto.
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After spending a season in the reserve team, he began to show his quality by fighting his way into the first-team.
He has since enjoyed some impressive seasons which have seen him rack up a total of 60 goals in 154 appearances for the club.
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The striker recently made his debut on the international stage, receiving a first senior call-up ahead of the 2024 Copa America.
He made two appearances for Brazil in the tournament, although he has not quite shown his potential on the global stage, as South American football expert Tim Vickery told talkSPORT.
"He went to the Copa America with Brazil," he said. "Because on the day of the call-up Richarlison got injured."
Jamie O'Hara backs Tottenham signing Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth and thinks he's an instant upgrade on Richarlison
"So they dropped Richarlison, they brought in Evanilson. He obviously didn't do too well there in training and so on, because he hardly got on the field - even when they were looking for a goal."
Vickery also explained that the forward's career had only really taken off when he left his home country, recalling how his time at Fluminense had been largely underwhelming.
He added: "He didn't play that much. He scored a few goals, but he was never really rated that highly. And he goes off to Porto and he's built a really good career there as a kind of live-wire striker."
And for European football expert Kevin Hatchard, Evanilson's quality goes beyond his mere skill in front of the net.
"I like the work rate," he told talkSPORT. "I like the fact he's always trying to get involved. I like the fact that it's not just about goals. He actually creates goals for others as well.
"Always active. I think he can deal with the physical part of the premier league. I think that's not necessarily going to be a problem. He's not as good as Solanke in the air, but that may come.
"But I think Bournemouth fans will really, really like him. Actually. I think there's a lot of quality there and a lot of potential. And he's played a lot of successful football for Porto."
It would be the sixth signing that Bournemouth have made this summer, having already signed Barcelona full-back Julian Araujo, Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Alex Paulsen and Sheffield United forward Daniel Jebbison.
They have also made the signings of forward Enes Unal from Getafe and Luis Sinisterra from Leeds permanent.
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After an extremely rocky start which saw them winless in the first nine league games, Bournemouth rallied last season to secure a 12th place finish in the Premier League.
They had mediocre success in both the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup, reaching the fifth and the fourth round of those competitions, respectively.
They are now set to get their 2024/25 top tier campaign underway with an away fixture to Nottingham Forest, Cherries boss Andoni Iraola has also weighed in as the club hope to close the deal.
The Spaniard heaped praise upon Evanilson too, admitting that he could indeed act as next up-front sensation.
"He's a proper number nine who has experience of playing at a high level," he said. "I think he can help us to fill the hole that Dom (Solanke) left.
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"You have to replace as well as you can, and I think the club has gone through the plan and done the right thing."
Bournemouth begin their 2024/25 Premier League campaign away to Nottingham Forest from 3pm on Saturday, August 17.
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