Everton were trying to sign a player in January 2023 who’s now flourishing at Arsenal.
Frank Lampard‘s tenure as Everton manager was pretty short-lived as he lasted just under a year before Sean Dyche replaced him.
However, Lampard may well have been in post a lot longer had he been backed in the 2023 winter transfer window.
The former Chelsea boss was keen to sign a winger during that period who has gone on to become one of the best in the Premier League at Arsenal.
Arsenal winger Noni Madueke.
Photo by Jack Thomas/Getty Images
Frank Lampard wanted Everton to sign Noni Madueke
Everton were fighting for their Premier League status during the 2022/23 Premier League season and Lampard wanted to strengthen in the January window.
According to 90min, Lampard was trying to sign then-PSV winger Noni Madueke to upgrade on Dwight McNeil.
Madueke was 20 at the time and had shown real promise in the Eredivisie, however, Chelsea managed to land his signature for around £29m later that month.
The now 23-year-old is at Arsenal and is flourishing following a £48.5m transfer in the summer. Madueke has also been performing on the international stage with England.
MORE EVERTON STORIES
Noni Madueke dubbed ‘unplayable’
Madueke was excellent on the weekend during Arsenal’s 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest and Peter Crouch heaped praise on the former Everton target.
“Madueke had Morato on toast. He’s been unplayable. He’s a man full of confidence,” Crouch said on TNT Sports.
Former Wales international Danny Gabbidon added: “A lot of Arsenal fans were doubting the transfer and Noni Madueke looks in electric form. He can go either way. He will go on his right as much as he cuts in on his left.
“From a defensive point of view, that’s difficult to defend against. He has caused all sorts of problems.”
Clearly, Madueke was one that got away from Everton as if they were a little more proactive in January 2023, he’d probably be excelling on Merseyside right now.