Everton enquired about £40m-rated David Raya before Brentford move – Sky Sports
Everton made an enquiry regarding David Raya before he moved to Brentford, according to his former coach Gary Brabin.
Brabin managed the goalkeeper at Conference Premier club Southport during the 2014-15 season.
Upon moving into a new job at Everton, Brabin tried to bring the Spaniard to Goodison Park with him, but was unsuccessful.
“I got a job at Everton working in the academy and I was pushing them to sign him,” Brabin told Sky Sports.
“We actually enquired about him on the strength of my recommendation but it didn’t go any further.”
What could have been
Raya has enjoyed a phenomenal season at Brentford, with the goalkeeper now among the top players in the division thanks to his displays between the sticks.
Those performances have also seemingly attracted the interest of a handful of top clubs, with Frank expecting the goalkeeper to be on the move this summer for £40million [Sky Sports].
Everton also have a star goalkeeper among their ranks in Jordan Pickford, and while he has impressed during his time at the club, who knows what might have happened if Raya was operating between the sticks.
Given their worrying financial situation and indeed the fact they only just managed to stay in the top flight, it is very unlikely that the Toffees will be in contention to sign Raya this summer, even if Pickford makes an exit from Goodison Park.
Everton fans will be desperate for their number one to stay for at least another season, but Pickford may just weigh up his options this summer, particularly with his England position in danger.