Everton to challenge Manchester United for veteran Brazilian star

Originally posted on We All Follow United
By Rohit Sarkar | Last updated Jul 6, 2025 6:38 PM ET

Everton will compete with Manchester United for the signing of John

There are always names coming out of Brazil that are attracting interest from Europe, and this time the focus is on goalkeeping. Botafogo goalkeeper John has been attracting attention for months from clubs looking for security in goal without spending a fortune. Manchester United have already shown clear signs of interest since January.

Goalkeeping coach Jorge Vital used his network of contacts to gather first-hand information about the Brazilian. The Premier League is unforgiving, and having a reliable goalkeeper can save entire seasons. While some look at the transfer market as a lottery, others prefer to study it with a magnifying glass.

As Globo Esporte reports, Manchester United are still firmly on John’s trail, but must now contend with Everton, who have joined the race. The Toffees have run short of options after letting several goalkeepers leave this summer. While John would not arrive to take Pickford’s place, his experience makes him a valuable piece for the bench.

United, meanwhile, are still calibrating the deal as they wait to resolve the departure of Altay Bayindir, as we reported earlier. With André Onana as the undisputed starter, unless he leaves, the second-choice goalkeeper position takes on special weight. For the moment, scouts are still travelling and reports are still pouring in, but someone has yet to make a real move.

In our opinion, if Manchester United are really committed to the 29-year-old, they have every reason to convince him to turn down Everton’s offer. Playing at Old Trafford means fighting for titles, competing in the Champions League in the future and training with world-class players daily. For a goalkeeper who has already come close to a Club World Cup, making the leap to England with a big club will allow him to grow without the pressure of being a starter from day one.

In addition, Ruben Amorim’s idea is to build a team that does not collapse in the face of injuries or rotations. The Brazilian would bring reflexes, leadership under pressure and a calm profile that would fit well for the role of second goalkeeper. Amorim’s confidence in his defensive unit requires alternatives who can keep their composure when Onana is unavailable. The Brazilian could become that silent keeper who, when it’s his turn to come on, saves tough games without the need for applause. If United want security without fanfare, John seems a logical step. Now they need to make up their minds.

This article first appeared on We All Follow United and was syndicated with permission.

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