Everton’s recruitment over the last decade has been really hit and miss.
The Toffees have made some really brilliant recruits in the shape of Jordan Pickford, Jarrad Branthwaite and Amadou Onana, to name a few.
Iliman Ndiaye was last season’s signing of the summer and Jake O’Brien really came into his own from the turn of the year.
However, there have also been some expensive flops, with Davy Klaassen, Yannick Bolasie and Moise Kean coming to mind.
Although, Kean is now flourishing at Fiorentina as he was the second top scorer in Serie A last term, alerting the likes of Arsenal and Newcastle United.
That said, another failed Everton signing is enjoying life elsewhere and is now being linked with a move to Barcelona.
Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Barcelona exploring deal to sign former Everton star Ademola Lookman
Everton paid Charlton Athletic £11m for Ademola Lookman back in 2017, and it seemed to be a really promising addition at the time.
However, Lookman just couldn’t get going on Merseyside and was shipped out on multiple loans before RB Leipzig signed him on a permanent deal in 2019.
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Since then, Lookman has established himself as one of the best wingers in the world at Serie A outfit Atalanta.
The Nigeria international netted a hat-trick in the 2024 Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen, which really catapulted him to stardom.
Now, according to 3cat, Barcelona are exploring a deal to sign the 27-year-old this summer, having already held talks with his representatives.
The former Everton wide player has two years left on his deal and there is belief Barca can get a deal done for a bargain fee of around £25m, although, some reports are suggesting it’d be much higher than that, with a £50m price tag mooted.
Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain also eyeing Lookman
Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain also hold an interest in Lookman and Gunners legend Ian Wright has urged Mikel Arteta to sign him.
“You know, it’s just, I can’t help but look at his (Lookman’s) dark moment where it would have been dark for him. You know, especially all those loans going to another country. And you know what?
“He never had no problem going wherever he needed to go to find it. And then obviously, like you say, you find your place. Like Scott McTominay’s found that.
“Like he’s found with Atalanta. I hope we can buy him Arsenal.
“I would love someone like him to come back to the Premier League and say I have unfinished business with the league.”
It seems a distant memory since Lookman was plying his trade at Goodison Park, but it’s great to see him doing so well.
One that got away, or perhaps never given a fair chance.