Everton could have signed legend for just £5.7m, and now no one has scored more goals against them in history

Add as preferred source on Google

Everton have found themselves in some real tough times this season in front of goal.

David Moyes has fortunately been able to turn their fortunes around, but the changes up top have also been forced through injuries.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin remains sidelined through injury, as well as Youssef Chermiti and Armando Broja.

The struggles from Sean Dyche’s time on Merseyside have been put behind Everton now, with the Toffees looking much improved in front of goal.

Beto has really impressed Everton fans as he netted again on the weekend against Manchester United.

But the long-term option up front may be questioned over the summer with the Portuguese striker previously keen to leave the club.

And there is one striker the club could have landed in 1998 who went on to score more goals against them than anyone else.

• READ MORE: Everton fans think they’ve just spotted a hidden gem at Bramley Moore-Dock stadium

Everton were close to signing Les Ferdinand in 1998

According to The Independent, Everton were the favourites to land Les Ferdinand back in 1998 from Newcastle United.

It is claimed Everton had tabled an offer in the region of £5.7m whilst facing competition from the likes of Sheffield Wednesday and Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs were the side which secured the Englishman’s signature in the end and it was a move which cost Everton a number of goals.

No player has scored more goals against Everton than Ferdinand with the former striker joined on a total of 16 goals alongside Alan Shearer.

A number of those goals were scored before the interest which came from Everton in 1998, but he did also score against the Toffees during his time at Spurs and Leicester City.

Everton have missed out on the likes of Luis Diaz in the past, but this was a deal which really cost the Blues on the pitch.

Les Ferdinand said he should have joined Everton

The former Newcastle and Spurs striker certainly enjoyed playing against Everton with a seriously impressive record against the Blues.

Six of those goals came after Everton’s failed approach in 1998, which goes to show just how costly missing out on the striker proved to be.

Speaking a couple of years ago on the Kammy & Ben’s Proper Football Podcast, Ferdinand jokingly said he should have played for Everton.

“The supporters will not thank me for saying this but it was Goodison Park,” said Ferdinand.

“I used to think I should have played for Everton because I always scored when I played there.”