Rafa Benitez once blocked Everton from signing £49m player only for Liverpool to sign him six months later

Add as preferred source on Google

Rafael Benitez endured a torrid six-month spell at Everton.

When the Toffees appointed Rafael Benitez in July 2021, a large proportion of the Goodison faithful criticised the decision.

Benitez’s ties to Liverpool, having managed them between 2004 and 2010, blotched his reputation on the blue side of Merseyside.

So, it was a disaster from the get-go go really and he would last only six months in charge before being sacked for Frank Lampard.

The Spaniard left Everton in a relegation battle and made a few questionable decisions, like blocking the signing of a talented wide player who would end up signing for Liverpool shortly after.

• READ MORE: The real reason why Everton decided against signing Cristiano Ronaldo for just £2m in 2002

Rafael Benitez blocked Everton from signing Luis Diaz

Speaking to AD Sportwereld, via AS, former Everton sporting director Marcel Brands told the story of how Rafael Benitez blocked the club from signing then-Porto winger Luis Diaz.

“I wanted to install my philosophy and structure in the club that would allow Everton to progress, but the decisions from above did not allow it,” Brands explained.

“In the summer of 2021 we were looking to bring Luis Diaz from Porto. I was working hard to get James Rodriguez to go to Porto as part of the deal that would bring Diaz to the Club, however, Rafa Benitez ruled against it because he was not sure about the player.”

Liverpool ended up signing Diaz in a £49m deal just six months later and he’s now established himself as one of the best wide players in the Premier League.

Who did Everton end up signing that summer?

That summer, Everton had to be creative due to PSR issues, which is why Brands included Rodriguez in the swap deal for Diaz.

The Toffees ended up signing Demarai Gray, Andros Townsend, Salomon Rondon, Asmir Begovic and Andy Lonergan.

The £1.7m spent on Gray was the only transfer fee they outlaid and it actually turned out to be a decent bit of business.

However, the rest of their additions didn’t really have the desired impact and if it wasn’t for Richarlison’s sensational end to the season, they would’ve suffered an unthinkable relegation to the Championship.