Everton manager David Moyes once admitted he was really close to signing a midfielder at Everton who went on to become one of the Premier League’s very best.
Everton have had so many transfer blunders over the years and have missed out on some really top players.
The Toffees tried to sign Alexander Isak for just £14m in 2016, but that deal failed to get over the line, and he joined Borussia Dortmund instead.
Everton were also on the verge of signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in 2021; now he’s one of the best wingers on the planet at Paris Saint-Germain.
Speaking back in 2020, David Moyes named another world class player he almost signed for Everton.
David Moyes said Everton almost signed Michael Essien
Speaking to beIN SPORTS back in April 2020, Moyes actually revealed that he almost signed Michael Essien during his first spell at Everton.
“Michael Essien,” Moyes said when asked about the players he regretfully missed out on at Everton.
“At Everton, we were really close to a lot of good players. We just couldn’t quite get them over the line on several occasions.”
Moyes didn’t specify exactly when the Toffees were close to signing Essien, but it likely would’ve been during his rise at Lyon.
Chelsea then forked out a whopping £33m for the all-action midfielder in 2005, and he established himself as a ‘world class’ footballer.
Essien won two Premier League titles and the Champions League with the Blues before joining Real Madrid in 2012.
David Moyes made an offer to David Beckham as well
Everton could’ve had Essien and David Beckham in the same midfield if Moyes’ plans were realised.
According to the Guardian, Moyes actually made a loan offer to Beckham in 2010 when he was plying his trade with LA Galaxy.
The Scotsman hoped Phil Neville could help make the deal happen.
“If David wanted to pick up the phone and say he wants to come to Everton, we would be here for him,” Moyes said at the time.
“I know him and if David Beckham wanted to come back to the Premier League, he would only need to pick up the phone to me or Phil.
“If he wants to come back and play under me, and with Phil, he can do that. I think he would feel he could do that to a lot of clubs in the Premier League.
“We would have to look into it financially, but if he came and said to me: ‘I would like to come and play’, I would have to go to the chairman and ask if we could do it. For example, do we think we could make it work by selling enough shirts?”
Ultimately, that transfer dream failed to materialise, and Beckham ended up playing for AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain before retiring.
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