Everton move ahead of Atletico Madrid in race for defender
Everton have moved ahead of Atletico Madrid in the race for Empoli left-back Mario Rui according to the Daily Mirror.
According to the report the toffeemen have been scouting the defender for a while now and had feared that they had slipped behind Atletico in the chase, but the Spaniards have been banned from making transfers for 2 seasons leaving the Merseysiders in pole position.
The 24 year old has helped his Italian team Empoli to 7th in the table this season with a string of impressive displays.
The former Portugal under 21 international is likely to leave in the summer though, rather than winter transfer window.
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