Ramiro Funes Mori Transfer from Everton to Villarreal Announced

Everton announced on Thursday that defender Ramiro Funes Mori has joined La Liga side Villarreal on a four-year deal: 

The centre-back joined Everton in September 2015 but missed most of last season due to a knee injury and made only four first-team appearances for the Toffees in 2017-18.

Funes Mori's long injury lay-off almost meant that the defender missed out on selection for Argentina's squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan said the defender should be playing for Argentina in their match against Croatia:

The defender has been deemed surplus to requirements by new manager Marco Silva, and he will now head to Villarreal who finished fifth in La Liga last season.

Football writer Simon Harrison said he is a good signing for Villarreal:

Sports journalist Patrick Boyland offered his view:

Funes Mori could be the first of several departures from Everton this summer as Silva shapes his squad ahead of the new campaign.

Fellow defender Ashley Williams is also expected to be sold, according to the Mirror (h/t Gary Stonehouse at The Sun).

If Williams were to follow Funes Mori out of Goodison Park Everton would need to strengthen their central defence and offer support to Phil Jagielka, Michael Keane and Mason Holgate.

Everton are also keen to bring in a new left-back to take over from 33-year-old Leighton Baines. Bayer Leverkusen's Wendell has emerged as a target, according to Simon Jones for MailOnline.