Everton avoid another transfer mistake as Steven Alzate update emerges
Brighton midfielder and former Everton target Steven Alzate could now seal a late move to Belgian side Club Brugge this summer, according to Team Talk.
The website reported on Tuesday (5 September) that the Belgian club are hoping to sign the Colombian international before the transfer window closes in Belgium on Wednesday 6 September.
Everton had been linked with a move for the forward before the Premier League transfer window closed [Pipe Sierra, 31 August] but no such move occurred with Sean Dyche later admitting the Toffees were never close to adding to their squad on deadline day.
Alzate has fallen in the pecking order at the Amex Stadium and is yet to make an appearance under Robert De Zerbi, having spent part of last season on loan with Standard Liege, providing seven goal involvements in 29 appearances for the Belgian side.
The Seagulls are open to offers for the 24-year-old midfielder who has missed out on the match-day squad in the last three Premier League games, but with most of Europe’s transfer window shut, the options are more limited.
Didn’t need him
Everton desperately needed to do some business towards the end of the transfer window, but a move for Alzate was not the right fit for the Toffees as they look to navigate what looks like another relegation battle this year.
The financial situation at Goodison Park is dire at the moment and there is a cloud of financial fair play looming over the Toffees and while that restricts how much Dyche and his team can spend this summer, it also means that they cannot afford to gamble too often on signings.
Alzate has struggled in the Premier League, only making 24 appearances in the last three seasons and this summer Everton needed nothing but guaranteed success, or players who are at least likely to provide value. All of their signings this summer have either been consistent in a top league in Europe or have decent Premier League experience.
The Colombian doesn’t fall into either of those camps and more importantly, the middle of the park is one of the few places the Toffees look reasonably well stocked, with the likes of Amadou Onana, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Idrissa Gueye all regular performers.
Although Everton didn’t manage to spend the money that was destined for Alzate elsewhere this summer, they are much better off keeping it in their pocket for when January rolls around to strengthen either out wide or in defence where they have more pressing problems.
Far too often in recent times, the Toffees have bought players who aren’t good enough for too much money and that is what has led them to this poor financial position.
In other Everton news, Garth Crooks was left stunned by Pickford’s display against Sheffield United