Everton must be kicking themselves as striker they were in talks to sign is about to complete £79m transfer

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Everton are moving fairly slowly in this transfer window, and questions are being asked.

The Friedkin Group aren’t living up to what was laid out for Everton this summer, as a lack of incomings might be frustrating David Moyes.

Moyes wants a right-winger desperately, as the early pre-season games have shown a lack of attacking intent.

Of course, Thierno Barry still has to be introduced, but the Frenchman won’t solve all of their goalscoring problems.

In fact, they could’ve sorted this back in 2023, and why Sean Dyche didn’t see this player as a must is baffling.

Everton were in talks with Liverpool-bound Hugo Ekitike

In what is one of the biggest signings of the summer, Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike will be joining Everton’s bitter rivals Liverpool, with David Ornstein reporting that a fee in the region of £79m has been agreed.

This will affect Everton, as they will know Liverpool have landed a very strong striker in the Frenchman, but Barry is statistically better than Ekitike, proving that Moyes might have got the better deal.

Next season will prove who truly is the better value for money, but Everton were the ones who actually came close to signing Ekitike for nowhere near that £79m fee.

Whilst Dyche was in charge, it was reported that Everton were in talks for Ekitike, as a £30m package had been presented by PSG, who were his club at the time, with him showing serious promise.

Dyche clearly knew of his promise before Arne Slot, but for some reason, a transfer for the striker was never formalized.

Now, looking back, it’s strange that a £30m deal wasn’t pursued, as to see him worth more than double today must hurt from Everton’s perspective, especially as Liverpool are benefiting.

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Moyes wanted Ekitike for Everton this summer

It’s astonishing that Everton could’ve saved £49m back in 2023, and things could be so much different now.

Ekitike wanted a Premier League move, so everything was there for the Toffees to complete a deal, but why did it go wrong?

It was said that Ekitike was committed to PSG and didn’t want to leave, but the 21-year-old at the time decided to do just that in January after Everton’s summer interest.

The timings didn’t work out, and although Everton have finally landed their striker in Barry, Moyes tried for Ekitike this summer as well.

Of course, a fee of £79m was never going to be paid, but what could’ve been for Everton under Dyche in 2023…