Report: Chelsea prepared to offer £50m for former Everton player once deemed the ‘future of the club’
Under Farhad Moshiri’s misguided leadership, Everton have made several significant transfer errors. While high-profile incoming transfers often garner attention for their large sums and high wages, only to fail dramatically, the club’s outgoings have been equally damaging. Moshiri’s reckless market strategies have frequently forced Everton to sell their prized assets to maintain financial stability.
Despite these sales, Everton has still faced punishment from the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Compounding their woes is the frustration of watching former players excel elsewhere.
One recent example that has particularly vexed Everton fans is Ademola Lookman. He has been excelling in Serie A with Atalanta for the past two years. Last season, Lookman recorded 23 goal contributions across all competitions. This season, he has added 11 goals and eight assists in the Italian top-flight alone. Additionally, his hat trick in the Europa League final secured a win for Atalanta and handed Bayer Leverkusen their only loss of the season.
As is often the case with top talent, Lookman has drawn interest from bigger clubs. According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United are all reportedly interested in Lookman, with Atalanta setting a price tag of 60 million euros (£50m).
Lookman’s success is a painful reminder of Everton’s mismanagement, as Ronald Koeman once hailed him as “the future of the club.” He is the latest in a series of players who have thrived after leaving Everton, or at the very least, left a significant void that the club has struggled to fill.
Romelu Lukaku stands out as a prime example. Although he has not been as prolific elsewhere as he was at Everton, his departure has left a noticeable gap. Similarly, John Stones has gone on to achieve great success with Manchester City. The departure of Richarlison was particularly hard for fans due to his strong relationship with the supporters. The sale of Anthony Gordon, a prized academy graduate, to comply with PSR, marked a particularly sad chapter.
Other notable departures include Ross Barkley, Idrissa Gana Gueye, and now Lookman, all of whom have impressed since leaving Everton.
There is hope that under Sean Dyche and Kevin Thelwell’s management, Everton will minimize such regretful sales in the future. The current transfer window offers a chance to break this cycle and retain their best talents, ensuring that the club’s fortunes improve both on and off the pitch.
