Everton Leading Race To Sign Explosive Brazilian Star: What Does He Provide Moyes Tactically? | OneFootball

Fresh reports indicate that Everton and Burnley currently lead the race for Vitinho. New details regarding the Brazilian full-back’s future are emerging ahead of the January window. According to journalist Dan Abreu, concrete offers from England sit on the table for the former Burnley defender.

Everton compete with Burnley for Vitinho

This has prompted his representatives to delay any final decision until the New Year. As a result, this update marks a significant shift from previous suggestions. Those reports implied the player would wait until a later date to determine his next career move. His management team now views January as the key time for assessing these offers. They are prioritising a return to Europe over remaining in South America.

On top of that, a Brazilian club recently initiated contact regarding a potential domestic transfer. However, those discussions failed to progress significantly. Botafogo owner John Textor maintains a pragmatic stance regarding the 26-year-old player’s departure. However, the player’s exit requires a transfer fee that satisfies all parties involved.

Right now, no agreement exists. Even so, the club will not stand in the way of a move if the terms prove favourable. This means the narrative centres on the perfect timing rather than a specific destination at this moment.

Despite this, the Premier League remains the player’s clear priority. Burnley and Everton are positioning themselves as the most realistic transfer spots. The coming weeks will likely determine whether this English interest transforms into a concrete transfer deal. Meanwhile, the Toffees have been in the rumours, as a recent report claimed the possibility of a swap deal between Beto and AS Roma forward Artem Dovbyk.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – NOVEMBER 18: Vitinho of Botafogo competes for the ball with Luan Candido of Sport Recife during the match between Botafogo and Sport Recife as part of Brasileirao 2025 at Estadio Olímpico Nilton Santos on November 18, 2025 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

What does Vitinho provide tactically?

From a tactical perspective, Vitinho offers a dynamic profile. He possesses the modern attacking flair alongside the physical demands that English football requires. The Brazilian full-back possesses significant pace and frequently overlaps to support wingers. This creates overload situations in wide areas, which counter-attacking sides prize as a crucial asset.

However, his defensive positioning sometimes lacks discipline. This leaves gaps behind Vitinho that savvy opponents might exploit. Under the tactical setup of David Moyes at Everton, the team typically prioritises defensive solidity and a rigid shape. They often utilise a low block that demands high concentration from full-backs.

So, Moyes prefers defenders who put their defensive duties first. This suggests that Vitinho might need to adapt his natural instincts to fit this structured system. Moyes may seek a more expansive option to provide width on the right flank. In that case, Vitinho fits the bill perfectly.

However, questions linger about the Botafogo defender’s ability to maintain the strict defensive organisation that the manager demands. In practical terms, this transfer hinges on Everton’s willingness to pay the required fee.

It also depends on the player’s ability to convince Moyes of his defensive reliability. While the attacking upside is evident, the move carries risk for a manager who values risk-averse football. This makes the potential signing a fascinating tactical gamble for the Merseyside club.