Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Everton’s sale of Beto during the summer transfer window was so horrendously managed and left David Moyes short. Now, the club needs to avoid repeating this with another likely departure.
Late in the summer, Everton sanctioned the sale of Beto to Fiorentina with the assumption that Folarin Balogun would soon be calling Finch Farm home as his arrival ticked closer to completion. But then, on deadline day, Balogun rejected Everton, which threw everything up in the air and left David Moyes with just one striker option.
This can be fixed in January, with Troy Parrott one option for Everton to consider, but the principle of selling before securing a replacement is poor from the club and cannot be repeated. This new rule must start in January with Charly Alcaraz, as his departure draws close.
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Everton can’t let Charly Alcaraz leave without a replacement
To put it mildly, Everton’s squad right now is not blessed with depth, and so losing a player, even one who isn’t vital to David Moyes, is a disaster. This also applies to Alcaraz.
It has been reported by Football Insider this week that Everton won’t consider selling Alcaraz this summer unless they can replace him, which is absolutely the correct decision. But Moyes needs to demand that this goes a step further.
Everton shouldn’t let Alcaraz leave until his replacement is effectively in the door already, medical and all out of the way to avoid a repeat of the Beto-Balogun situation. Alcaraz can then be sold with the confidence that the club won’t be leaving Moyes with an even smaller squad than he already has.
Alcaraz signed for £13m from Flamengo, and it has been a weird time for him since joining, but ultimately hasn’t lived up to expectations, and he is now clearly out of favour with Moyes.
During the summer window, Alcaraz was linked with River Plate back in Argentina, and interest on that front may end up returning in January.
In short, Alcaraz’s departure shouldn’t be considered until he is prematurely replaced.
Who should Everton replace Alcaraz with?
Replacing the impact of Alcaraz won’t be all that difficult, but it is important that Everton gives Moyes a player who can contribute. Signing a younger attacking midfielder to play second fiddle to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall would be the smart decision.
Amario Cozier-Duberry would be a brilliant signing if Everton can convince Brighton to sell the current Middlesbrough loanee once he returns from the Championship side.
Alternatively, Everton could look across Europe with the likes of Paul Wanner, one exciting potential addition that might be considered.
While a wildcard might be Scott McTominay, who Napoli now reportedly want rid of for £25m, with Manchester United and Aston Villa keen. This would be a really interesting signing for Everton.