David Moyes missed out on one of the signings of the season in the winter transfer window.
It was The Athletic who claimed that Everton were well aware of Rayan as the Brazilian made headlines over at Vasco da Gama – but it was Bournemouth who eventually secured his signature in a £24.7m move in January.
The South American has since made a fantastic start to life in England, scoring five goals and providing two assists in just 13 Premier League appearances so far.
Now, salt has been rubbed in the wound for Everton fans as Jermain Defoe tips Rayan to become the new Gareth Bale.
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Everton told they potentially missed out on the next Gareth Bale
Speaking to Sky Sports, the 43-year-old said: “I’m going to make a big statement. He reminds me of Gareth Bale to be honest. He plays so effortlessly.
“You get a lot of players, like Messi and Hazard, who dribble with it close to their foot, but he knocks it out of his feet and gets onto it. He’s so dynamic, quick, strong. One v one he never turns it down – I love players like that. He comes inside, he’s efficient in front of goal. He’s been amazing. This is a kid that can go to the next level.”
Rayan has been a sensation out on the right flank, where he often cuts inside on his stronger left foot to cause havoc.
In the meantime, Everton fans had to watch Dwight McNeil start in that position in the weeks after the winter transfer window closed, an odd decision from Moyes considering the Toffees had effectively already sold the Englishman to Crystal Palace before the Eagles cancelled the deal on deadline day.
McNeil, nor his rival for that position in Tyler Dibling, have managed to score a single goal this season across a combined total of 43 appearances in all competitions.
To make matters worse, Rayan only cost £24.7m – while Everton have spent £60m on both McNeil and Dibling combined.
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Hopefully, the latter can step up and repay his £40m price tag next season, or else the loss of Rayan to Bournemouth will only become more agonising for Everton fans to endure.
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