Everton’s recruitment has to raise eyebrows over recent years with considerable money spent but not a great deal to show for it.
It has been a real struggle for Sean Dyche’s side at times this season with Everton leaving a lot to be desired at the foot end of the table.
Jamie Carragher has questioned Everton’s recruitment with the Toffees having brought in a number of players over the summer who have not made an impact.
Over the weekend, Jordan Pickford stunned the Arsenal fans showing just how good of an investment he has proven to be over the years.
But there is one player who Everton wanted to sign last year who could now be set to join Barcelona in a mega-money deal.
Sean Dyche, manager of Everton, and Everton director of football Kevin Thelwell during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Everton...
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Former Everton target Marcus Thuram wanted by Barcelona
It was reported last year by 90min, that Everton were one of the sides showing a real interest in Marcus Thuram when he was set to become a free agent from Borussia Monchengladbach.
This comes at a time when the Toffees find themselves sweating over the future of potential free agents with Dominic Calvert-Lewin potentially leaving Everton next summer for free.
Now, according to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are now eyeing up a move for the Inter Milan striker who is valued at around €80m (£66m).
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It is not just Barcelona who are showing an interest with Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur credited by the report.
The 27-year-old has proven Everton’s failure to sign him to be a real error with another fine season in Italy.
Perhaps the biggest irony lies as Inter Milan are showing an interest in Beto who Everton ended up signing instead that summer.
Everton could have signed Thuram instead of Beto
Instead of snapping up Thuram, Everton spent £26m on Beto who has failed to make an impact on Merseyside in his time at the club.
Beto has asked to leave Everton with his game time really suffering under Dyche having failed to make an impression at Goodison.
But it could have been so much different for Everton had they landed Thuram instead.
Thuram @ Inter Total
Appearances 66
Minutes 4763
Goals 27
Assists 20
Questions will obviously be asked as to whether the France international could have carried this form into the Premier League, but he has been mightily impressive for Inter.
The Friedkin Group have set out Everton’s January transfer budget, but it is unlikely to stretch to £66m to finally get their hands on the 27-year-old.