Everton caught sleeping as Sunderland complete overnight £30m deal for transfer target

Add as preferred source on Google

Everton have had a slow start to the transfer window, and matters have now been made worse.

David Moyes knows signings need to start coming through the door, but that appears unlikely until after the PSR deadline on June 30th.

With Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s contract expiring in days, a decision needs to be made, especially after Leeds United won’t be signing Calvert-Lewin.

His future will be determined soon, and it might be controversial for The Friedkin Group to sell him to a direct rival.

Well, it appears too late for that, as a main transfer target has completed a move and Everton are none the wiser.

Everton miss out on transfer target Habib Diarra in £30m deal

The Toffees won’t want to see other Premier League clubs take their targets, but it doesn’t help when the owners move at this pace.

With Carlos Alcaraz the only deal through the door, it’s suspected Thierno Barry’s £33m move will follow, but time will tell.

However, Everton’s pursuit of Strasbourg’s Habib Diarra has now come to an abrupt end, after a shocking revelation.

Fabrizio Romano has reported that Sunderland have completed an overnight deal for Diarra with a £30m fee confirmed.

The Senegalese international will have a ‘medical booked’, as it appeared only Leeds or Everton would sign Diarra, as another target slips away from Moyes, and it’s at the hands of his former club.

READ MORE: Everton have a trick up their sleeve to beat Liverpool to £43m transfer

Everton need to pick up pace as alarming factor stands out

Of course, Everton will want to feel they’ve moved past being a rival with a team like Sunderland.

But if the Mackams can beat them to a signing, and pay the substantial fee of £30m, it could spell trouble for Moyes this summer.

Diarra looks like a very promising midfielder who has already had experience as a captain despite only being 21, and has already made his mark in England.

Now, he has the chance to do it once again with Sunderland instead of Everton, as agent Idrissa Gana Gueye couldn’t do enough to convince the 21-year-old.

However, more to the point, the pace needs to be picked up, and that should start with Barry’s signature in the next few days.