Graeme Bailey surprised Everton did not try to sign ‘special’ player who’s just made £20m move

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Everton, lacking financial muscle as always, have been once again bullied in the market.

There are likely so many more signings that, were it up to Sean Dyche and Kevin Thelwell’s unrestricted discretion, would definitely have been made.

However, after years of torrid leadership from Farhad Moshiri, this is the unfortunate reality of the Toffees.

There is one particular failed transfer from this summer which has left one journalist enraged.

Journalist baffled as Everton ignore Jack Clarke deal

Speaking exclusively to Everton.News, well-respected journalist Graeme Bailey provided a fresh update on the transfer dealings of a side with no financial might anymore.

In fact, despite not being an Evertonian, he cut just as frustrated a figure as most fans would, especially when reflecting on a solid window that could have easily been so much better.

After all, the Toffees have been linked with a plethora of talent who would certainly have improved Dyche’s squad, yet they opted against so much.

Ironically enough, Ipswich Town have been on hand to hoover up the bulk of these players, with Jack Clarke their latest.

Snagged for just £20m, the Sunderland talent is a highly-regarded player just waiting to be given the platform to strut his stuff at the Premier League level.

And Bailey could not believe that Everton were not there to provide it, as he noted: ‘I’m surprised Everton weren’t more involved in the Jack Clarke situation to be honest. They were not at the front of this queue, but it surprises me that Everton didn’t get involved in trying to sign him.’

Everton did try to sign Jack Clarke last year, who was once branded a ‘genuinely special’ player by football analyst Jackson Scrimpshire.

Ipswich Town steal another Everton transfer target

This is not the first time that newly-promoted Ipswich Town have snagged a player previously linked with a move to Merseyside and instead tempted them to join their revolution.

It’s a sad indictment of their current predicament, both financially and beyond, as it means that they are either being outmuscled or players simply would rather join them than the Toffees.

Kalvin Phillips is another who was constantly linked with an Everton move but has instead ended up in Ipswich, with Jens Cajuste also having turned down Dyche’s side.

Jacob Greaves was largely touted as a Jarrad Branthwaite replacement for Thelwell, but with the 22-year-old having stayed put at Goodison Park, his transfer was not needed.

However, perhaps they might have benefited from the acquisition of Sammie Szmodics, with last year’s Championship top scorer snagged from Blackburn Rovers for just £9m.