Manchester City superstar admits he was once ‘close’ to joining Everton

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Everton, over the years, have failed to sign some truly exceptional footballers.

It would be interesting to see how the trajectory of this club might have changed had they actually tempted one of many world-class stars to Goodison Park.

Once upon a time, Erling Haaland nearly signed for Everton, whilst David Moyes admitted Everton couldn’t afford Eden Hazard despite eying him too.

Even more recently, Everton battled for Victor Boniface last summer before he joined Bayer Leverkusen and fired them to an unbeaten Bundesliga title.

And yet, there is now another to add to the list: Kyle Walker.

Kyle Walker explains why he didn’t join Everton

Speaking on his podcast, joined by former Everton captain Phil Jagielka, the two Sheffield-born defenders couldn’t talk football without touching on the Toffees.

And, Walker had a shocking revelation for the recently retired stalwart, as he stated: ‘I was close to signing for Everton before I signed for Tottenham. Just to let you know.’

Asked who the manager was at the time, his answer of David Moyes offers a better understanding of when this proposed move was touted.

Alas, it was not to be, and shockingly it was how Everton treated Kyle Naughton that convinced Walker to opt for Tottenham Hotspur.

He continued: ‘Yeah, and Naughts went to his house. Naughts went to Moyes’ house and he never invited me. So I went down to Devon, to Tottenham and I was like okay they like me more, so I signed for Tottenham.’

Kyle Walker could’ve solved Everton’s Seamus Coleman problem

Although both are regarded as elder statesmen of the Premier League, it’s fair to say that Walker is far fitter and therefore more available than Seamus Coleman is for Everton.

This is a testament to his unbridled athleticism, that makes him so tough to bypass.

Signing him around 2009, when he joined Spurs, might have halted the development of the Toffees’ current club captain. As such, missing out on that target is not the end of the world.

But now, with Coleman 35 years old, and Walker 34, the difference between the two is stark.

Signing for Manchester City naturally helped his cause, but the latter now has a trophy cabinet consisting of six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups and a Champions League.

He is widely regarded as the greatest right-back in English top-flight history.

So, whilst initially Coleman made this failed transfer obsolete, as he has grown older and his fitness has betrayed him, Walker could’ve stepped up to take his place.

Or, at the very least, it might have been Everton gifted the £50m that Pep Guardiola spent to sign him in 2017.