Sport nationEverton’s Missed Opportunity: From £10m to £58m – The Gyokeres Regret
Everton Football Club, once synonymous with financial investment and high expectations under Farhad Moshiri’s ownership, has seen a dramatic shift in recent years. Despite once being among the Premier League’s big spenders, the club’s failure to translate this outlay into on-field success has led to mounting financial pressure. This was epitomized in the 2023-2024 season when Everton was docked eight points due to violations of Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations. As a result, the club now finds itself working within a constrained budget, forced to adopt a more measured approach in the transfer market.
However, even with their restricted financial capabilities, Everton’s recruitment strategy has been far from flawless. In a glaring example of missed opportunity, the club turned down the chance to sign Viktor Gyokeres, a player who is now one of Europe’s most coveted strikers and is reportedly being pursued by Spanish giants Barcelona in a potential £58m deal. This decision, which has become a symbol of Everton’s recruitment woes, highlights the club’s struggle to identify talent that could propel them back into the upper echelons of the Premier League.
The Gyokeres Saga: A Missed Signing
In the summer of 2022, then-manager Frank Lampard expressed an interest in signing Viktor Gyokeres, who was plying his trade at Coventry City in the Championship. The Swedish forward had impressed with his strong performances and ability to score goals regularly. With a £10m asking price, Gyokeres appeared to be an affordable and potentially high-return investment for a club that was in need of an injection of quality in attack.
However, Everton decided against pursuing the deal, opting instead for the acquisition of Salomon Rondon, a striker who had been playing in the Chinese Super League. Rondon, a former Premier League player with experience at clubs like Newcastle United, was signed as a backup option, but his impact at Everton has been minimal. Rondon struggled to replicate his previous form and could not make the desired impact in the Premier League, leaving the club with few answers up front.
The decision to bypass Gyokeres in favor of Rondon is now seen as a significant mistake, with hindsight shedding a critical light on the club’s transfer strategy. While Gyokeres continued to impress in the Championship, his subsequent move to Portuguese side Sporting CP in 2023 marked the beginning of his ascent to prominence. In just over a year, Gyokeres has become one of the most prolific strikers in Europe, scoring 67 goals in 69 appearances for Sporting. His impressive form in front of goal has not gone unnoticed, with top European clubs, including Barcelona, now keen to secure his signature.
Barcelona’s Interest: A £58m Deal in the Works?
The meteoric rise of Viktor Gyokeres has caught the attention of some of the continent’s biggest clubs. According to reports from Spanish outlet Sport, Barcelona is particularly interested in signing the Swedish forward in a deal that could be worth £58m. The Catalan giants are in the market for a new striker and Gyokeres’ clinical goal-scoring ability has made him an ideal target for their long-term plans.
Barcelona’s pursuit of Gyokeres is a testament to his incredible form, as well as his versatility and skill set. His ability to play across the frontline, his excellent movement off the ball, and his physical presence make him an attractive proposition for any top European club. Barcelona, who have been looking to refresh their squad after a period of financial instability, see Gyokeres as a player who can fit seamlessly into their attacking setup.
For Everton, the possibility of Gyokeres moving to Barcelona for a hefty £58m serves as a painful reminder of their missed opportunity. Not only did they fail to secure a player who could have provided a much-needed goal-scoring threat, but they also missed out on the potential windfall of a lucrative transfer. With their current financial difficulties, Everton could have greatly benefited from a transfer fee that size, which might have allowed them to reinvest in the squad or alleviate some of their financial burdens.
Everton’s Ongoing Struggles in Attack
The decision to turn down Viktor Gyokeres in 2022 has had long-term consequences for Everton, who are still grappling with major issues up front. Despite the presence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, a striker who has shown glimpses of his potential in previous seasons, Everton’s attacking play has been largely ineffective. Calvert-Lewin, who once looked like one of the most promising young forwards in the Premier League, has struggled with injuries and a lack of confidence, netting just two league goals this season. His form has been a key reason why Everton continues to falter in attack.
Everton’s failure to find a reliable goal-scorer has left them in a precarious position in the Premier League. While Calvert-Lewin’s injury struggles have played a part in the team’s lack of attacking potency, the club’s overall tactical setup under manager Sean Dyche has also been questioned. Dyche’s defensive-focused approach has often resulted in a lack of creativity and an inability to break down opposition defences, further compounding Everton’s offensive issues.
As a result, the club is again in the market for a striker ahead of the January transfer window. Reports have suggested that Juventus is interested in signing Calvert-Lewin, and Everton may be willing to sanction his sale if the right offer comes in. If that happens, the Toffees will need to find a suitable replacement to provide the attacking spark that has been sorely lacking in recent seasons.
One potential option is Armando Broja, who is returning from injury. The Chelsea forward has the potential to add a dynamic presence to Everton’s attack, but it remains to be seen whether he can hit the ground running and make an immediate impact. The club may also look to make a more high-profile signing to replace Calvert-Lewin if the interest from Juventus intensifies.
The Financial Implications of Missed Deals
Everton’s financial troubles have been exacerbated by their recruitment missteps, and the failure to sign Viktor Gyokeres is just one of many examples. Under Moshiri’s ownership, the club has spent heavily on a series of high-profile signings, but many of these deals have failed to deliver the desired results. In recent years, the club has had to operate with a more limited budget due to FFP regulations, making it even more critical that they make smart, calculated decisions in the transfer market.
Had they signed Gyokeres for just £10m in 2022, Everton could have reaped the benefits of his goalscoring prowess, potentially leading to a higher league finish and greater financial rewards. The £58m deal with Barcelona would have been a significant windfall, providing the club with the resources to reinvest in their squad and alleviate some of the financial pressure they face.
However, with the club currently underperforming and facing the possibility of relegation, the need for immediate success has only intensified. The situation at Everton remains fluid, and much will depend on the club’s ability to identify and sign the right players in the upcoming transfer windows. The failure to land Gyokeres may serve as a painful lesson, but it also underscores the importance of smart, forward-thinking recruitment, especially for clubs facing financial constraints.
Conclusion: A Story of Missed Opportunities
The case of Viktor Gyokeres serves as a stark reminder of Everton’s recruitment struggles in recent years. Turning down the chance to sign a player who is now valued at £58m and attracting interest from Barcelona is a painful chapter in the club’s ongoing saga of missed opportunities. With Everton’s financial future uncertain and their squad in need of a major overhaul, the club must learn from their past mistakes and focus on making smarter decisions moving forward.
As the January transfer window approaches, Everton will be looking to address their long-standing issues in attack. Whether they can secure the necessary reinforcements to turn their season around remains to be seen, but the missed opportunity with Gyokeres will undoubtedly continue to haunt them as they search for a way back to stability and success.
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