Bournemouth Sets £56 Million Price Tag on Evanilson After Arsenal and Manchester United Inquiries

Premier League club Bournemouth has placed a valuation of approximately £56 million ($73 million) on Brazilian striker Evanilson ahead of the January transfer window. This follows initial inquiries from top-flight rivals Arsenal and Manchester United. Bournemouth recently turned down an informal approach from Arsenal regarding the 26-year-old forward.

The Cherries acquired Evanilson from Portuguese side FC Porto in August 2024 for a club-record fee of up to £40.2 million (€47 million), including performance-related add-ons. That acquisition surpassed the club’s previous purchase record and was made possible by the departure of English striker Dominic Solanke, who was sold to Tottenham Hotspur earlier that same month in a deal worth up to £65 million.

Arsenal’s interest in Evanilson comes as manager Mikel Arteta continues to assess options to strengthen the club’s central striking force. While German international Kai Havertz has featured prominently in the central role alongside Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus, Arsenal has consistently scouted leading center-forwards across European leagues. Targets under evaluation include Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyökeres, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško, and Atlético Madrid’s Julián Alvarez.

Evanilson, whose full name is Francisco Evanilson de Lima Barbosa, began his senior professional career with Fluminense in Brazil before moving to European football with Porto in September 2020. During four seasons in Portugal, the Fortaleza native recorded 60 goals in 154 appearances across all competitions, contributing to Porto’s Liga Portugal championship in 2022 and three Taça de Portugal titles. His performances in European competition—including a UEFA Champions League group-stage hat-trick against Royal Antwerp in October 2023—earned him his senior debut for the Brazil national team in 2024.

Bournemouth management views Evanilson as a central component of manager Andoni Iraola’s system, particularly given current squad depth demands and physical requirements across their attacking line. With attacking depth further tested by an injury to forward Eli Junior Kroupi, Bournemouth remains positioned to resist mid-season offers unless potential suitors meet the £56 million asking price when the winter window opens.

Manchester United has also monitored Evanilson as part of wider squad planning under manager Erik ten Hag and the club’s football management structure led by INEOS. United overhauled their forward line over recent transfer windows, completing the acquisition of Danish international Rasmus Højlund from Atalanta for £72 million in August 2023, followed by the signing of Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee from Serie A side Bologna for £36.5 million (€42.5 million) on a five-year contract in July 2024. Any potential January recruitment by Manchester United remains tied to roster composition and forward availability, particularly as Zirkzee continues his integration into Old Trafford’s tactical setup following his summer arrival.

At Bournemouth, Evanilson’s tactical role under Iraola places a heavy emphasis on defensive pressing in the opposition half, hold-up play, and combining in build-up sequences. During the summer transfer window, Arsenal adjusted their attacking options by sanctioning the sale of academy graduate Eddie Nketiah to Crystal Palace in a deal valued at £30 million. Bournemouth recently turned down an informal approach from Arsenal regarding the 26-year-old forward, signaling that the South Coast club will not permit his departure from Dean Court without securing a substantial profit on their summer investment.