Everton missed out on a number of their top targets in the summer transfer window.
David Moyes admitted it was a difficult summer as many of his targets turned down Everton in favour of teams in Europe.
Before the Toffees signed Tyler Dibling in a £40m deal, Moyes and his chiefs were looking at Lyon’s Malick Fofana.
Despite being willing to match Fofana’s wage demands, the Belgium international decided to stay put at the French giants
There was another winger top of Moyes’ shortlist that they didn’t manage to sign, and now he’s flourishing on the Champions League stage.
Juventus winger Francisco Conceicao.
Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images
Everton summer target Francisco Conceicao shining for Juventus
Moyes’ number one target was Francisco Conceicao in the summer, and he was actually wanted ahead of Dibling.
Conceicao opted to rejoin Juventus on a permanent deal, though, and is now flourishing with the Serie A giants.
The 22-year-old left Italy’s national media blown away after his magical performance against Villarreal in the Champions League yesterday.
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Conceicao scored a brilliant solo goal in the 2-2 draw and was awarded Man of the Match by Italian outlets La Gazzetta dello Sport, Tuttosport, Corriere dello Sport and Football Italia.
The latter outlet wrote: “The Portugal international came on at the interval for Teun Koopmeiners, who had next to no impact during the first half, and completely changed the game. He won the throw-in that led to Federico Gatti’s bicycle kick, scored the goal that put Juventus into the lead, and should have had an assist to his name had Jonathan David been able to find the target from five yards out.”
Tyler Dibling will be just as good as Francisco Conceicao
Dibling, who is three years younger than Conceicao, is a very good alternative to the Juventus winger and will be just as good in a couple of years.
Thankfully, due to Iliman Ndiaye’s versatility, there’s little pressure on Dibling to deliver from the get-go.
Ndiaye has enjoyed a sensational season on the right wing, so the 19-year-old can be nurtured and developed at a steady pace.
The former Southampton winger could make his Premier League first start for the Toffees against Crystal Palace this weekend, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall serving a one-game suspension.