Everton might not be fighting near the top of the Premier League right now, but the Toffees remain a big club nonetheless.
Everton can boast nine First Division titles and five FA Cups among many other pieces of silverware, but that was not enough to convince Malick Fofana to move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium back in the summer.
The BBC believe the Belgium international felt he could attract a ‘bigger club’ – but ultimately ended up staying at Lyon as no such move materialised.
Since then, the 20-year-old has endured a tough 2025/26 campaign so far.
Malick Fofana shows Everton they may have dodged a bullet
Everton bid £31m for Fofana back in July – according to Fabrizio Romano – which would have made him one of the most expensive signings in club history.
However, for a £31m forward, you would expect more than two goals in 12 appearances, which is exactly what the Belgian has mustered up so far this term for Lyon.
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Fofana has also made three appearances in the UEFA Europa League without registering a goal involvement.
The Lyon No.11 has since missed 12 games due to a sprained ankle, so he faces a real battle to win over these so-called bigger clubs in the second half of this season.
The same can be said for Liam Delap
Liam Delap was another player Everton wanted over the summer, with David Moyes even making a personal pitch to the striker after his impressive campaign at Ipswich last term – he scored 12 goals in 37 Premier League games.
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However – like Fofana – the England U21 international had eyes on a more lucrative move, and strangely opted to sign up for the circus that Chelsea currently are.
Delap has since scored just two goals in 15 appearances and hardly starts for the Blues as Joao Pedro is preferred, whereas he could have been a talismanic figure for Everton under Moyes.
Hopefully, any other young talents Everton approach in the transfer market understand the grass is not always greener at a ‘bigger’ club.
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