Everton fans are hoping to see some new faces very soon, but one target looks to have gone begging.
It was always likely to be the case that lots of players would leave Everton at the start of the window.
A lot of players were out of contract, and some were coming to the end of their loan spells.
Everton have confirmed the signing of Carlos Alcaraz permanently, but the Toffees will now need to get a move on.
Everton are prioritising four positions at the moment, and a new central midfielder is on the agenda following the exit of Abdoulaye Doucoure.
But one man David Moyes will not be bringing to the football club is Angel Gomes, who is about to be unveiled by another club.
Angel Gomes undergoing Marseille medical as Everton lose out
Gomes was a player Everton looked at heading into the summer, as his contract with Lille was expiring.
The England international had been at Lille since 2020 after leaving Manchester United and given his development, he was never likely to sign an extension.
But rather than opt to return to England and play in the Premier League, Gomes has decided to stay in France.
Gomes reached a verbal agreement with Marseille recently, but now Everton’s hopes of signing the player are dead.
Top journalist Fabrizio Romano reported earlier today that the player has been doing his medical. He said: “Angel Gomes to Olympique Marseille, here we go!
“Medical ongoing today after deal completed. Gomes, in Marseille to sign a three-year deal at OM after leaving Lille as free agent. One more important addition ahead of UCL season for OM.”
Gomes would have been ideal Doucoure successor
That Everton have missed out on Gomes is a bit of a shame.
With Doucoure a confirmed exit, the 24-year-old could genuinely have been a solid successor to the Frenchman.
Doucoure was a player who always got through a lot of work in games for Everton, mainly playing a box-to-box role. But he could also play as a number 10, which we saw more recently. Gomes can also play both of these roles.
He would have been an exciting addition for the Toffees and someone who could have brought a lot of energy to the engine room.
That said, Gomes is arguably a more skilful player than Doucoure, with Lee Carsley saying last year: “Angel is very technical, he controls the game with his skill and technique. Tactically, he is excellent.”
Perhaps ultimately Everton’s lack of European football counted against them, but hopefully other targets will be excited by the project.
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