Why Everton failed to seal Mohammed Kudus transfer despite deal agreed in 2022

Why Everton failed to seal Mohammed Kudus transfer despite deal agreed in 2022

Under Ronald Koeman, after he had led them into Europe after his first season, it seemed like they genuinely had the formula to achieve such a goal. That was, until their overspending and underperformance caught up with them.

Everton’s recent turmoil has set them back massively, as a club that once had grand ambitions of upsetting the traditional top six.

After years of financial misbehavior, they are now severely crippled and must scurry around the market for deals, which is a dramatic contrast to the enormous payments that were once offered to entice celebrities to Goodison Park.

However, they have come close to still snagging some elite-level talent despite these restrictions, with Mohammed Kudus one such name

Did Mohammed Kudus nearly sign for Everton?

Indeed, back in 2022, Fabrizio Romano would go to X to sketch up what appeared to be the resolution of an enduring tale.

They had been discussing their interest in the Ghanaian international all summer, and Frank Lampard was probably considering the Ajax star to be Richarlison’s replacement.

However, the 23-year-old saw his transfer blocked due to transfer movements elsewhere, with Manchester United actually hampering their deal.

Having started the season poorly, the Red Devils would enter the market in a panicked state, spending a ludicrous £86m to bring Antony to Old Trafford.

Unwilling to lose both of their star wingers in the same window, the Amsterdam outfit then denied Kudus’ move until the following summer, when West Ham United parted with £38m to finally hand him that dream move to England.

How good is Mohammed Kudus?

Even though it took him some time to establish himself in David Moyes’ starting lineup after joining the Hammers, he has subsequently grown to be a very important player at the London Stadium.

That, however, did not come as a surprise to many who had watched him, as the year before he had finished his final season with Ajax with 18 goals and seven assists in all competitions, earning him the title of “superstar,” conferred by journalist Okuraku Ampofo.

Hence, the fact that he has now made four Premier League games, scoring two goals and providing an assist, is finally revealing the potential Everton believed they had acquired back in 2022.

He has scored nine goals this season in all competitions, surpassing the combined total of all of Sean Dyche’s players and dwarfing the top scorers, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who have scored four goals apiece.

While it was a huge disappointment not to sign Eden Hazard in 2012 and Erling Haaland when looking even further back, Kudus represents the remarkable recent failure that is now haunting them more than ever.

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