Everton had a decent first summer transfer window under The Friedkin Group, but one player the club didn’t sign looks like a major missed opportunity.
Everton have enjoyed a good season so far and currently sit eighth in the Premier League table.
Before a ball was kicked this term, The Friedkin Group would surely have taken being in this position at this stage, as would many fans.
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Some good additions were made in the first major window since TFG acquired the club.
Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall have both had good impacts, although the former has unfortunately suffered a serious foot injury.
But there is one player who Everton were strongly linked with but did not end up signing – and this could prove to be a real regret for the Toffees.
Rayan Cherki absolutely dazzling for Man City after Everton links
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City - Premier League
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Some will remember that Everton were actually linked with a move for Rayan Cherki during the last summer window.
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Cherki had enjoyed an outstanding season with Lyon, scoring 13 goals and supplying 21 assists for teammates. This haul well and truly put him on the map, and plenty of teams wanted to snap him up.
Everton reportedly had an interest in signing Cherki one year ago. The reports about Cherki then continued into the summer.
In the end though, the club didn’t sign the Frenchman. Everton went on to land Grealish on loan and Tyler Dibling from Southampton.
Of course, Dibling has had a tricky start to life on Merseyside following his £42 million move.
In stark contrast to the Everton youngster, Cherki has absolutely flourished at City after joining them for £34 million (Sky Sports).
He wasn’t always starting in the beginning, but Cherki is now very much a key player under Pep Guardiola, and his haul of goals and assists to date is very impressive.
His latest strike against Tottenham Hotspur took him to nine in all competitions so far, and he also has nine assists.
But it isn’t just his output; Cherki has been the talk of the town for a lot of neutrals with his incredible skill and flair, and ability to entertain.
Everton’s loss is Man City’s gain
Everton fans have often been left disgruntled this season by the style of football.
David Moyes has done a terrific job, but we all know his tactics don’t result in the prettiest or most creative brand of football.
Cherki is undoubtedly a player who would have lit up the Hill Dickinson Stadium, as he is doing in the Etihad Stadium now.
Rayan Cherki playing for Manchester City.
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
It’s unclear if Everton genuinely came close to signing Cherki, but given the amount of reports there were in 2025, there had to have been at least some interest.
The Friedkin Group have got a lot right since they acquired the club in December 2024.
But not winning the race for Cherki is already starting to look like a major oversight, with the Frenchman seeming to stand out in every game he plays at the moment.
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