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Everton reportedly made a late phone call to Blackburn Rovers to negotiate a fee for their striker Ben Brereton Diaz.
According to Lancs Live journalist Elliott Jackson, the Toffees failed to reach the valuation the Championship club wanted and that was it regarding their pursuit.
The Chile international will now stay on at Ewood Park despite having just one year left on his deal.
Via Twitter, Jackson wrote, “To clarify the reports earlier, Everton made a phone call on Ben Brereton Diaz and whilst there were discussions, once again the figures were nowhere near Rovers’ valuation.
“He is going nowhere this transfer window.”
Shameful
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It’s shameful that Everton waited until so late in the window to not just sign the player but also negotiate a fee for him.
They had scouts watching him at his recent league game so their interest was pretty clear and all they had to do is agree on personal terms.
Once that was done, they could then go to Blackburn and begin negotiations long before deadline day – giving them enough time and money to find a replacement.
With a few hours to go, assuming that’s when the call was made, the Championship club certainly would not be willing to bring down their price.
This may just cost Everton and Frank Lampard dearly as Neal Maupay cannot be relied as their main goal-scoring option with Dominic Calvert-Lewin out.
Diaz is a proven goal scorer who would’ve guaranteed goals but they will now rue on what could’ve been should they have another bad season.