Everton's summer very nearly got even better as the deadline approached and they reportedly submitted an offer to sign a La Liga midfielder for David Moyes.
Every player that Everton signed this summer
In a new era with new owners in The Friedkin Group and the new Hill Dickinson Stadium, Everton were always likely to spend big in the summer transfer window. Their squad certainly needed the investment, too. The likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Abdoulaye Doucoure departed as free agents and the Toffees were quickly forced into the market.
In previous years, those in Merseyside could be accused of investing poorly before lingering all too close to the Premier League's relegation zone as a result. This time around, however, it looks as though they've got things spot on. The likes of Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall have got off to excellent starts, whilst big-money striker Thierno Barry is beginning to find his feet under Moyes.
The Friedkin Group waited up until deadline day to finalise their summer spending, welcoming Merlin Rohl on loan from German club Freiburg to cap off what was a fantastic window of arrivals.
After becoming the latest to arrive, Rohl told the club's official website: “I’m really excited and full of joy to sign for Everton. It’s a big club, with great history and great fans. It’s the right time for me to join Everton. It feels like a shifting point for the Club. The future looks really good and I’m excited to be part of it."
In total, Everton managed to welcome nine fresh faces with those being Grealish, Barry, Dewsbury-Hall, Rohl, Dibling, Carlos Alcaraz, Adam Aznou, Mark Travers and Tom King.
That said, as impressive as that list is, nine very nearly became 10 as the deadline approached if recent reports are anything to go by.
Everton submitted late offer for Altimira
According to reports in Spain, as relayed by Sport Witness, Everton and TFG submitted a late offer to sign Sergi Altimira from Real Betis only for the Spanish club to hand them an instant rejection. The midfield star also had interest from Eintracht Frankfurt, but eventually stayed put in Spain as the transfer window slammed shut.
Everton's late summer bid means that Altimira is now one to watch for January. If the Toffees return, then they will add to their spending and welcome another midfielder after Rohl.
League stats P90 24/25 Rohl Altimira
Minutes 965 1,972
Progressive Carries 1.87 1.14
Progressive Passes 2.06 4.52
Ball Recoveries 4.58 5.34
When compared, it's clear that Altimira would have offered Moyes a different kind of midfielder in the summer transfer window. The Spaniard outperformed Rohl in ball recoveries and progressive passes, but struggled when it came to carrying possession.
sergi-altimira-real-betis
Sergi Altimira in action for Real Betis.
Altimira also featured more often than Rohl last season and would enter Everton's side with more experience. There's no denying that the midfielder ticks plenty of boxes and would have been an excellent deadline-day addition. If the Toffees get a second chance to secure his signature, they should grab hold of it.