Everton chance to sign Mohammed Kudus and Mykhaylo Mudryk have been and gone
Everton may have missed their opportunity to sign “mercurial” talents Mohammed Kudus and Mykhaylo Mudryk according to Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor.
The Telegraph’s Miguel Delaney reported (via Twitter, 1 September) that Everton had a late £15million plus add-ons rejected by Ajax for Kudus on deadline day.
The Toffees were also interested in Ukrainian forward Mudryk with The Guardian’s Fabrizio Romano revealing (via Twitter, 29 August) that Everton had a £25.6million proposal turned down by Shakhtar Donestk for the 21-year-old forward.
It has since been suggested by Taylor that due to their superb early season form for their respected clubs, the chance for Everton to swoop may have been and gone.
Taylor wrote (via Twitter, 14 September): “Not to rub salt in the wound but Mykhaylo Mudryk & Mohammed Kudus have proven to be two sickening near misses for Everton in the final stretch of the summer transfer window.
“Get the sense the chance to sign either player has been & gone on basis of current form. Mercurial talents.”
Long shots
Unfortunately for Everton, it appears that Taylor may be right in his assumption with both players hitting the ground running in the 2022/23 campaign, particularly on the European stage.
The fact that they’re both playing in the Champions League could well put pay to the Toffees’ chances of landing the pair with Everton not competing in Europe.
However, it is refreshing to see Everton linked to players of their calibre and perhaps gives fans an inkling of where their future transfer business could well lie.
Looking at younger players from across the continent, as they did with Amadou Onana could be the route that Frank Lampard and Kevin Thelwell go down in order to install a long-term philosophy at the club.
Everton shouldn’t be disheartened by potentially missing out on the duo. They identified the pair before their recent Champions League exploits and it’s a good sign that the club have their eye on the right players when it comes to recruitment.