Jim White: Everton made ‘big attempt’ to sign Donny Van de Beek
Jim White claims Everton made a big summer push to sign Manchester United midfielder Donny Van de Beek on loan.
The ex-Sky Sports presenter mooted Everton’s interest in the 24-year-old on Thursday’s edition of the ‘White and Jordan’ show on talkSPORT [02/09/21], saying they were “one club that was being spoken about as a possible berth for him on loan”.
But in Friday’s show on talkSPORT [03/09/21], White firmed up that link with a more substantial claim.
“Of course, in the window, it was thought he would go out on loan,” he said.
“But [Manchester] United said no, he stays put.
“That was in spite of Everton making a big attempt to get him on loan, we know that for a fact.”
Major moves
Everton’s transfer window ended in a whimper as a blockbuster bid to bring Colombia sensation Luis Diaz failed to materialise.
Instead, 31-year-old Salomon Rondon was the only deadline day arrival and he joins Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray as new recruits in attack, while Andy Lonergan and Asmir Begovic were brought in to provide backup for Jordan Pickford in goal.
There was no movement in the middle of midfield with the likes of Andre Gomes, Tom Davies and Fabian Delph all sticking around to compete with Allan, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Jean-Philippe Gbamin.
Therefore, it may appear that midfield was not a priority position for Rafa Benitez anyway, and thus a slight surprise that a big push was made to sign Van de Beek.
However, the “sensational” [Jack Pitt-Brooke, The Athletic] Dutchman proved during his time at Ajax that he is a big goalscoring threat from midfield, hitting double figures during his last three seasons at the club.
Time till tell as to whether that is the missing ingredient from this Blues side under Benitez.
In other Everton news, this Blues centre-mid snubbed a Goodison exit despite attempts to offload him.
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