Sean Dyche dodged a £30m bullet with failed Everton transfer for 1-goal rocket’

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Despite their outstanding financial restraints, Everton have simply had to spend to stay afloat.

After all, last summer they were coming off the back of a second straight relegation battle, having also offloaded both Richarlison and Anthony Gordon in back-to-back windows just to keep the lights on.

With a wage bill decreasing, and things seemingly balancing out, it made sense to wade into the market, even if the likes of Beto were brought in on hugely deferred transfer payments.

However, one saga that dragged on throughout that window was that of Wilfried Gnonto,

However, given both the financial peril they have since been plunged into as well as his recent performances, this failure might actually be a huge bullet dodged now in hindsight.

Did Everton nearly sign Wilfried Gnonto?

Although the diminutive speedster shone last term, in what was his first in the country, the £30m price tag eventually touted for his services would have represented a huge fee for a side that had just been relegated.

But, as they remained interested, it seemed like a figure the Toffees and Sean Dyche may well have paid for the man dubbed a ‘pocket rocket’ by pundit Tam McManus.

Whilst they eventually would not, thankfully, it is hard not to feel aggrieved given how catastrophic that deal might actually have been had it gone through.

Everton’s 52-year-old boss would later offer his thoughts on the failed transfer, seeking to play down the scale of their interest: ‘We weren’t close enough to any situation. The truth is that certain parameters and guidelines is where we are at. The club is not where it was two or three years ago, that is apparent.’

How is Wilfried Gnonto playing now?

Admittedly, since he was held at Elland Road seemingly against his will, the Italy international has seen his chances limited exponentially.

Previously a mainstay under the previous regime, in which Jesse Marsch had put him on a pedestal as a sole shining light despite falling to the drop, Daniel Farke has not been so forgiving.

It is worth noting that he is blessed with the talents of Crysencio Summerville on that favoured left flank.

Regardless though, this has been far from the term of progression that the 20-year-old would have envisioned, especially after enjoying such a fine breakthrough year in England which saw him record eight goal contributions in all competitions.

However, this season has seen him make just seven Championship starts, scoring a miserable one goal across 23 total appearances.

Perhaps Everton’s failure to unload such a huge amount of money, which certainly would have left them hammered by profit and sustainability rules, has proven a blessing in disguise given his form.