EVERTON and Burnley are weighing up a move for Brazil right-back Vitinho.
The Botafogo star, 26, enjoyed a two-year spell at Turf Moor between 2022 and 2024.
And while the Clarets are now exploring the possibility of bringing him back, SunSport understands they’re set to face competition from Premier League rivals Everton.
The Toffees lack options on the right side of David Moyes‘ back-four.
Seamus Coleman is 37 years old and only has six months left to run on his contract, while Nathan Patterson has suffered with injuries since landing on Merseyside.
Jake O’Brien and Tim Iroegbunam have filled in out of position but Moyes wants a natural right-back in his ranks.
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The mid-season transfer window is a notoriously tricky time to do business.
But Burnley have been flirting with the idea of re-signing Vitinho since the summer, and Everton have made their interest known while sounding out the conditions of a move.
Vitinho signed a contract at Botafogo that runs until 2029 – and it does not include a release clause.
The Brazilian outfit paid £8.75million to sign him from Burnley and they feel they can bank a tidy profit based on his recent performances.
Vitinho has been a regular in the Brazilian top flight this season and made four appearances at the Club World Cup, notching one assist.
His showings have also caught the eye of Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti, who called Vitinho up to the national team squad earlier this year.
The tricky full-back has maintained, at least publicly, that he has no interest in leaving Botafogo.
He said: “I can’t think about leaving. Everything I do and have today is because of this club. I’m grateful to everyone.
“All of us want to take Botafogo to the Libertadores again. Everything I think about is staying here.”
But the prospect of another pop at the Premier League could be tempting – particularly if it improves his chances of making Ancelotti’s World Cup squad.
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