Everton were interested in signing Christantus Uche over the summer, but he has struggled to make an impact at Crystal Palace.
Everton were busy in the summer transfer window as David Moyes made new additions to his Toffees squad.
Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall arrived to offer proven Premier League quality, but Everton also looked towards the future.
Adam Aznou hasn’t yet made his first-team debut, Merlin Rohl is still adjusting and Thierno Barry is awaiting his first goal.
Everton will hope to see those players come good over time, but other summer targets have struggled elsewhere.
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Crystal Palace could axe former Everton target Christantus Uche
Reports from Estadio Deportivo over the summer suggested that Everton had joined the race to sign Christantus Uche.
The Nigerian quickly emerged as a star at Getafe, bagging four goals and six assists from midfield last season.
Uche fit the Everton bill in terms of a young player for the future, but Crystal Palace won the race with a loan-to-buy deal.
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Uche has only played eight minutes of Premier League action this season, across three substitute appearances.
Reporter Alan Nixon now claims that Palace are ready to send Uche back to Getafe in January.
It’s suggested that ‘all parties’ are looking to scrap the move, with Uche failing to convince Oliver Glasner so far.
Uche certainly hasn’t been able to show that Everton have missed out by failing to sign him, and he could head back to Spain in rapid fashion.
Everton can’t sign Christantus Uche in January
Uche still has bags of talent and potential, and Everton may just keep tabs on his situation for the future.
However, if Uche does go back to Getafe, he won’t be able to move anywhere in January.
Uche played for Getafe earlier in the season, and his Palace appearances mean that he has already played for two clubs this term.
Uche would be prevented from playing for a third club, meaning his next move can only come next summer.
A return to Getafe may allow Uche to recapture his best form, but his Premier League journey could come to a swift end.