“Significant interest’: Agent reveals Everton’s attempt to sign ‘freak athlete’ as Amadou Onana’s replacement this summer”
"Everton showed interest in numerous players during a busy summer and ultimately strengthened key areas effectively."
Everton’s transfer strategy this summer had clear goals, and manager Sean Dyche, along with Director of Football Kevin Thelwell, wasted no time securing early signings.
However, as the transfer window progressed, the club found itself caught in several challenging transfer negotiations that didn’t go as planned.
One notable case was their pursuit of young midfielder Amir Richardson, which generated considerable interest.
Everton had reportedly engaged in talks to sign the promising talent during the summer.
In an interview with Space Viola, Richardson’s representatives, Emmanuel Lacroix and Sebastien Szwarc, discussed how the summer unfolded and why they ultimately chose Fiorentina over other interested clubs like Everton.
They explained, “Everton, Ajax, and Fenerbahçe all closely monitored Amir’s situation, which is understandable given his young age and significant potential.
Amir spoke with the coaches of all the clubs interested, but the first to reach out was Raffaele Palladino, Fiorentina’s manager, who had a video call with him.
Amir felt at ease from the start, and they not only discussed his role on the pitch but also other important aspects.
Although interest from other clubs came later, Amir was determined to honor his word to Palladino.”
His representatives further revealed they were in touch with Fiorentina’s technical director, Roberto Goretti, after intermediary Diego Tavano confirmed the club’s strong interest in Richardson.
Although Everton missed out on signing Richardson, another young midfielder has thrived in his absence: Tim Iroegbunam.
While Richardson’s profile as a traditional defensive midfielder would have been a valuable addition, Iroegbunam has excelled in that role.
Football analyst Ben Mattinson highlighted Richardson’s impressive physical and technical qualities, calling him a “freak athlete” due to his control and composure despite standing at 6-foot-5.
His skill set drew comparisons to former Everton player Amadou Onana, with many considering Richardson the ideal replacement for the Belgian.
However, it is Iroegbunam, an Aston Villa academy graduate, who has made a name for himself at Everton.
His performances have been one of the pleasant surprises of the season, and his defensive capabilities are undeniable.
According to Sofascore, Iroegbunam is averaging 7.7 ball recoveries and four tackles per game in the Premier League.
Although missing out on Richardson was disappointing, it’s clear that Iroegbunam’s emergence has softened the blow.
His development might have been hindered by Richardson’s arrival, making the missed transfer a manageable sacrifice for Everton.
