At the end of the summer transfer window there were endless claims about Everton making efforts to sign Samuel Chukwueze from Villarreal.
Mundo Deportivo said the Nigerian forward was ‘very close’ and ‘one step away’ from Everton, where he would arrive ‘on loan with a mandatory purchase option of €45m’.
For whatever reason, that deal failed and Frank Lampard, then manager at Goodison Park, didn’t get the man he wanted.
The Toffees will be kicking themselves, with Chukwueze playing 40 matches this season, scoring 13 goals and contributing 11 assists. That’s mainly been from a right wing position.
On March 22nd it was reported in Spain that Everton could return for the attacker and potentially get a bargain deal. Given his contract expires in June 2024, Villarreal won’t be able to ask for as much as they did last summer.
Everton’s bigger issue would be competition from elsewhere.
