How Everton’s failed 2021 James Rodriguez swap deal gifted Bayern Munich their most influential winger

Back in the summer of 2021, Everton were in talks to offload James Rodriguez.

Rafa Benitez replaced Carlo Ancelotti as Everton manager, and he didn’t fancy James Rodriguez from the get-go.

The Toffees were actually in talks to send Rodriguez to Porto, with Luis Diaz coming the other way, but Benitez blocked the deal from happening.

His experience could prove priceless! 🏆

It’s widely reported that the Spaniard wasn’t sure on Diaz, who at that time was coming off the back of an 11-goal season with the Portuguese club.

Well, that decision has certainly backfired on Everton, as Diaz has since become one of the best wingers in the world at Bayern Munich.

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Former Everton target Luis Diaz has 34 goal involvements this season

Everton have made a number of transfer blunders in recent years, with the Toffees missing out on the likes of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Vitinha, who are both now considered world-class.

Diaz is another notable mistake, as the Colombian wide player is now flourishing with Bayern Munich.

No excuses can be made when the window opens again 😫

After leaving Merseyside rivals Liverpool last summer, the 29-year-old has really stepped up a level in Germany.

Diaz has netted 19 times whilst laying on 15 assists this term and is only behind Harry Kane in the Bundesliga top scorer charts.

There is even talk that the former Everton target could be in contention to win the Ballon d’Or award later this year.

Another pretty painful transfer blunder came in 2016, when Everton failed to sign Alexander Isak as a teenager.

The Toffees were in talks to sign Isak for just £14m, but they didn’t manage to get the deal over the line and he instead joined Borussia Dortmund.

Liverpool paid £130m for his signature last summer, although he’s not had a great season up to now, netting just two goals in the Premier League.

Either way, it was another missed opportunity for Everton.