Everton forward Sandro Ramirez may be handed Goodison lifeline by Sam Allardyce
Allardyce wants a new striker but may give Sandro a chance to prove himself during the winter months.
Everton forward Sandro Ramirez's proposed loan move to Valencia is increasingly uncertain with new manager Sam Allardyce open to giving the Spaniard another opportunity to prove his worth at Goodison Park.
Allardyce has not included Sandro in any of his match-day squads, although the Spaniard is said to have suffered a minor injury last week. The former Barcelona youth star played no part in the Toffees' 1-0 win over Newcastle United on Wednesday (13 December) and has not started a league match for the Toffees since September, his last appearance coming in the 5-1 Europa League defeat by Atalanta last month.
Sandro's lack of minutes have inevitably led to suggestions of a move away from Everton in January, with Valencia believed to be the most keen on signing the 22-year-old on loan. The potential acquisition has 'captivated' Valencia boss Marcelino, according to Superdeporte, but the Spanish publication claims that a deal is not a foregone conclusion due to Allardyce's willingness to hand him a lifeline on Merseyside.
Allardyce confirmed recently that signing a striker is his main priority in the January transfer window and is keen to bring balance to his newly-inherited Everton squad next month. The former England boss is also holding meetings with his first-team players in order to determine the best course of action to each and every one of them, and his conversation with Sandro could be crucial to Marcelino's wishes as he looks to sustain Los Che's title charge.
Valencia owner Peter Lim has sanctioned a move for Sandro, while the club's CEO Mateu Alemany is already trying to thrash out a deal for the forward, who has scored just once for the Merseysiders.
Everton are said to be keen on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Kevin Gameiro according to the report, but Allardyce is open to utilising Sandro's talents if he and the rest of the Goodison hierarchy are not willing to take a risk as they bid to finally replace Romelu Lukaku.
"At the moment we would look to add a goalscorer," Allardyce told The Guardian.
"Dominic [Calvert-Lewin] has done well, [Oumar] Niasse has scored a few. It is the hardest thing to recruit players who score goals and hopefully there is somebody that can be brought in. If not, we will have to try to get Sandro to contribute a bit more."
