Everton have made a lot of transfer blunders in recent years.
During the Farhad Moshiri era, Everton signed so many expensive players who ultimately failed to live up to their price tag.
Moise Kean, Davy Klassen and even Beto instantly spring to mind and there have been just as many near misses, too.
Everton almost signed Viktor Gyokeres whilst he was at Coventry and now the decision to snub his signature looks completely daft.
Gyokeres has gone on to establish himself as one of Europe’s finest centre-forwards at Sporting Lisbon and is set to make a big-money move this summer.
As well as Gyokeres, there’s also been another player who almost made the switch to Goodison Park who’s currently considered one of the world’s best wingers.
Everton almost signed Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
In 2021, Everton were leading the race to sign Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, according to TBR Football.
The Toffees were well-placed to sign the Rubin Kazan wide player and were fending off competition from a number of Serie A, Bundesliga and Premier League clubs.
Leeds United were one of the interested parties lagging behind Everton but ultimately, for whatever reason, Everton failed to get the deal over the line.
Kvaratskhelia ended up staying at Kazan for another year before making a bargain switch to Napoli for around £9m.
Since then, the 2001-born attacker has been on a rapid rise to superstardom and is now considered one of the best players on the planet.
In fact, Kvaratskhelia is attracting interest from all of the European giants and according to Rousing The Kop, Liverpool are keen to land his signature this winter in what would likely be a £67m deal.
Everton simply can’t afford to keep making errors in the transfer market
Quite simply, Everton’s recent demise has been largely due to their poor recruitment and lack of due diligence, as evinced by the failed Kvaratskhelia deal.
So, with Moyes now in post, that’s one of the key areas he will have to address to get Everton back firing and competing at the top end of the Premier League.
The Friedkin Group are expected to sack Kevin Thelwell, the current sporting director, and replace him with Brighton chief David Weir.
That’s certainly a step in the right direction but more needs to be done regarding the scouting network, too.
Everton rarely fish in South America and they’re missing a lot of promising young talent as a result.
Hopefully, Weir will be able to assist in improving that department.
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