Alious
Everton have suffered their fair share of painful “what-if” transfer moments, and another one has come back to haunt them. Over the years, several near misses have turned into stars elsewhere — and the latest example is proving especially frustrating.
Just this past summer, Everton were keen to bring in **Nick Woltemade**, but Newcastle United swooped in with their financial muscle and sealed a £69m deal. Before that, Everton famously missed out on **Khvicha Kvaratskhelia** in 2021, only for him to develop into one of the best wingers in Europe.
And now, another player they nearly secured is flourishing — but not in blue.
### **Samuel Chukwueze: The Everton Target Now Outperforming Haaland**
Ahead of the 2025 January window, Everton attempted to lure **Samuel Chukwueze** from AC Milan, but the move failed to materialize. Fast forward, Chukwueze is now starring for Fulham — and he’s in the form of his life.
The Nigerian winger is statistically outperforming **Erling Haaland** right now.
* **Chukwueze:** 5 goal contributions in just **228 minutes**
* **Haaland:** 18 goal contributions in **1,218 minutes**
Based on minutes played, Chukwueze is one of the **most productive players in the Premier League** at the moment. His two assists against Manchester City last night will only make Everton’s recruitment team wince harder.
### **Who Everton Signed Instead**
Everton’s quiet January window saw them make only one addition:
* **Carlos Alcaraz**, signed from Flamengo on an initial loan that later became permanent.
Despite the lack of signings, David Moyes managed to galvanize the squad, getting standout performances from previously underwhelming players — most notably **Beto** — and eventually guiding Everton to safety with a comfortable 23-point cushion above the relegation zone.
So while missing out on Chukwueze hasn’t derailed Everton, his current blistering form is a reminder of yet another high-quality player who slipped through their fingers.
Alious
