Everton are trying to strengthen their squad, but have failed in an attempt to sign a two-time Premier League champion.
It has been a frustrating summer up to now, with Everton failing to address key positions.
A right-back has been the most important position, but the club are yet to bring anyone in despite links to many players.
If you were Angus Kinnear who would you be going all out for this summer? 💰
A new striker has also been touted, but it has been worryingly quiet on that front.
Everton have also been after a new number two goalkeeper, with uncertainty over the future of Mark Travers.
And it has just been claimed this afternoon that Everton tried and failed to sign goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.
Everton tried to sign Stefan Ortega
According to Florian Plettenberg: “Stefan Ortega is still in talks with potential new clubs. The 33 y/o goalkeeper is fully fit and available to sign as a free agent.
“Ortega recently turned down approaches from Everton, Forest and Levante. Olympiacos are now trying to sign him, while several other clubs are also in the race.
“It also remains to be seen whether VfB Stuttgart will make a move following Dennis Seimen’s injury. A switch to Stuttgart would be an interesting option for Ortega.”
Ortega has just recently left Nottingham Forest, whom he joined at the start of the year.
He made just a handful of appearances for the club, before it was decided he would be released.
Everton made an attempt to sign the German stopper, but seemingly couldn’t convince the 33-year-old to join.
Plettenberg doesn’t shed light on the specific reasons why Ortega rejected Everton.
But given his exploits at Manchester City, perhaps he feels it is time for him to become a number one somewhere.
Realistically, he would not be able to get that at Everton, with Jordan Pickford firmly established.
It’s a shame that Everton couldn’t bring him in, because Ortega showed himself at City to be a fantastic number two, getting quite a good level of involvement for that role even though he was competing with Ederson.
He famously played a huge part in their Premier League title win in 2023/24, denying Heung-min Son in a one-vs-one opportunity in City’s penultimate game of the season. That was one of two league titles Ortega won.
It is probably little wonder he didn’t fancy joining Everton, because Pickford is clearly going to be the number one.
As nice as it would have been having Ortega pushing Pickford, Everton will now need to look at alternatives if Travers is leaving.
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