Now that the summer transfer window has shut, there are lots of very interesting what could have been transfers emerging out of Everton.
It’s just come to light that the Toffees were pretty confident about signing Joao Palhinha before he joined Tottenham Hotspur.
David Moyes was hopeful of bringing in Palhinha to bolster his midfield ranks, but when Spurs came calling with Champions League football on offer, the Portugal international quickly made his decision.
It’s also surfaced that Moyes made Francisco Conceicao his top target before the club moved for Tyler Dibling.
Now, there is another secret from Everton’s summer that’s just been revealed.
Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell.
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Everton actually tried to sign Ben Chilwell
Moyes was in the market for a left-back this summer as he was keen to provide Vitaliy Mykolenko with competition.
Ultimately, Everton ended up signing Adam Aznou for around £8m from Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.
Aznou, who recently celebrated his 19th birthday, enjoyed a productive loan spell at Real Valladolid last term, prompting the Toffees to land his signature.
MORE EVERTON STORIES
Everton! GO AND GET ADAM AZNOU! He will be worth 30-40 million in a few years!
Adam Aznou vs LB’s in LaLiga 2024/25
He ranked 1st in the league for left backs in those 5 defending stats (based on the 13 games played last season
His per 90 data is amazing for Defending stats… https://t.co/zLU9RfVOG2 pic.twitter.com/0pQG2tLlRD
— TheSecretScout (@TheSecretScout_) July 26, 2025
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However, it could’ve been very different, as according to the Athletic, Moyes and his chiefs made a loan bid to Chelsea for Ben Chilwell.
For whatever reason, that transfer didn’t materialise, and now the 21-cap England international is plying his trade in France with Chelsea’s sister club RC Strasbourg.
The Friedkins wanted to recruit young talent this summer
Clearly, Everton were happy to bring Chilwell in, but perhaps he wasn’t the top target, hence why the transfer wasn’t pushed through.
The Friedkins’ changed the transfer policy this summer to focus on bringing in young talent, as the squad was ageing.
Perhaps that’s why they went for Aznou instead, who has helped to drive down the average age of the squad.
The 19-year-old isn’t quite ready to start, though, and Moyes has been clear in making that known.
“So we won’t be putting him under any pressure and we won’t be giving any guarantees to the supporters that he’s going to be seen right away.”