‘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 in their ranks as they have secured the ‘fox in the box’ Evanilson.

The Cherries have agreed a club-record £40 million deal to sign the Brazilian striker from Porto.

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After Dominic Solanke left Bournemouth after five years to join Tottenham, Evanilson was brought in as his replacement in attack.

And European football expert Andy Brassell told The Pitch Prospect that the striker should be a more than capable replacement for the outgoing Englishman.

“(Evanilson has) had a good scoring rate over the last few years,” he explained. “He came back from injury last season, but when he got back into the team he really seemed to forget about it.”

“A real classic in the box. A big guy who can also defend himself. So I can understand why Premier League clubs are interested in him.”

He added: “I think he is probably one of the less expensive good candidates among the centre-forwards.”

The 24-year-old began his career in his home country Brazil and played a total of 26 games for Fluminense.

He was loaned to Samorin for a season before signing for Tombense – although he was immediately loaned back to Fluminense.

His time in the Brazilian top division ended in September 2020 when he signed with Porto.

After spending a season in the reserves, he began to prove his quality by fighting his way into the first team.

Since then, he has had some impressive seasons, scoring 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 and was called up to the senior national team for the first time ahead of the 2024 Copa América.

He played two games for Brazil in the tournament but has yet to fully realise his potential on the world stage, as South American football expert Tim Vickery told The Pitch Prospect.

“He went to the Copa America with Brazil,” he said. “Because Richarlison was injured on the day of the call-up.”

“So they took Richarlison out and brought in Evanilson. He obviously didn’t do particularly 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 striker’s career only really took off when he left his home country and recalled how disappointing his time at Fluminense was.

He added: “He didn’t play that much. He scored a few goals but he was never really rated highly. And then he goes to Porto and has built a really good career there as a kind of dynamic striker.”

And for European football expert Kevin Hatchard, Evanilson’s quality goes beyond his mere ability in front of goal.

“I like his work ethic,” he told The Pitch Prospect. “I like that he always tries to get involved. I like that it’s not just about goals. He actually sets up goals for other people too.”

“Always active. I think he can handle the physical part of the Premier League. I don’t think that will necessarily be a problem. He’s not as good in the air as Solanke, but that can come.”

“But I think Bournemouth fans will really, really like him. Actually. I think he has a lot of quality and a lot of potential. And he has played a lot of successful football for Porto.”

It would be Bournemouth’s sixth signing this summer, having already signed full-back Julian Araujo from Barcelona, ​​goalkeeper Alex Paulsen from Wellington Phoenix and striker Daniel Jebbison from Sheffield United.

They also have their sights set on signing strikers Enes Unal from Getafe and Luis Sinisterra from Leeds.

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After an extremely rocky start in which they went winless in their first nine league games, Bournemouth recovered last season to secure 12th place in the Premier League.

They were moderately successful in both the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup, reaching the fifth and fourth rounds of those competitions respectively.

They are now set to kick off their 2024/25 top-flight campaign with an away game against Nottingham Forest, with Cherries boss Andoni Iraola also speaking out as the club hope to complete the deal.

The Spaniard also praised Evanilson highly and admitted that he actually has the potential to become the next sensation in attack.

“He’s a real number nine and has experience of playing at a high level,” he said. “I think he can help us fill the gap left by Dom (Solanke).”

“You have to replace as well as you can and I think the club followed through on the plan and did the right thing.”

Bournemouth will start their 2024/25 Premier League season away at Nottingham Forest on Saturday 17 August from 3pm.

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