The Athletic share why Rafa Benitez vetoed Everton signing of Southampton star Tino Livramento
Everton boss Rafa Benitez turned down the chance to sign Tino Livramento or Denzel Dumfries during the summer transfer window, according to The Athletic.
Livramento, 19, left Chelsea for Southampton in August and Dumfries, 25, swapped PSV for Inter Milan during the same month.
However, either right-back could have ended up at Goodison Park but for Benitez’s intervention.
The Athletic’s Greg O’Keeffe and Patrick Boyland wrote on Thursday (9 December): “Brands and Benitez had found it difficult to reach a compromise over targets in this area.
“Players including the Netherlands’ Denzel Dumfries and then-Chelsea youngster Tino Livramento were suggested by the recruitment team but Benitez was keen to bring in a more experienced option, preferably with Premier League experience.
“It was felt Dumfries had too many flaws in his game to be worth the outlay, particularly given Everton’s ongoing financial predicament.
“Benitez, it is said, looked to manage the club’s finances scrupulously, as he would his own.
“Crucially, though, differences of opinion and a lack of budget meant Everton left it late in their bid to find Coleman’s long-term replacement. Too late, in the end.”
Saints gain
Livramento was a fairly unknown quantity to most Premier League supporters during the summer, failing to break through at Chelsea and make his senior debut, but he was making waves at Under-23 level and that brought about big interest from clubs around the country.
Had Everton made a major move to sign him, it’s a fair bet to assume he would have picked the Blues over the Saints.
Everton are a much more prestigious club, finished higher last season and have loftier ambitions with more money to spend.
But Benitez wanted more Premier League experience and also vetoed Dumfries for that reason as well.
As it happens, Livramento has been one of the best right-backs in the Premier League this season while Dumfries is playing Champions League football with Inter.
Perhaps Benitez should have placed greater faith in Brands and his team.
But the Spaniard looks to be in full control of transfers now, his hand strengthened further by Brands’ exit last week (5 December).
In other Everton news, the Blues have green-lighted a stunning Blues star loan exit in January as this American-owned club plots a mid-season swoop.
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