Everton missed out on a £15 million winger with a major effect while five other prospects were evaluated.

An summary of how some of the players Everton targeted this summer have performed in the first few weeks of the season.

Everton’s summer was a fascinating one, and despite the fact that the club was clearly operating within financial restraints, speculations about transfer targets abounded.

 

In the end, the Blues signed five players as Sean Dyche and director of football Kevin Thelwell prepared for what they think will be a successful season.

Beto, the striker who has already demonstrated in 135 minutes that he could be the signing Everton needed throughout several transfer windows, appears to be the most essential.

With the first international break approaching, here’s a look at how some of the other players Everton were interested in have performed this season.

Elanga has had one of the better beginnings of any player Everton looked into throughout the summer. He was seen as a potential solution to the club’s hunt for a right winger, but instead chose to join Nottingham Forest. Many of Everton’s summer targets, including Elanga, were chased in January. The 21-year-old made an immediate impact for his new club, assisting against Arsenal on his debut at the Emirates. He scored his first goal for Forest in the club’s most recent game, a 1-0 victory over Chelsea.

Rodrigo

Rodrigo was an early target for Everton as the club explored for possible additions from relegated Leeds United. The striker had Premier League experience but was always expected to leave Elland Road for a bargain. He instead went to Qatar, where he is leading the line for top-tier Al-Rayyan. In his second game, the 32-year-old’s first goal was the game-winner against Qatar SC.

Wilfried Gnonto

Everton’s lengthy pursuit of Gnonto from Leeds ended in failure, despite the teenager skipping games and filing a transfer request as interest increased. Gnonto’s conduct prompted a public condemnation from Leeds, and his own fans turned against him during the saga. But Leeds stood firm, and Gnonto has already been reintegrated – and has begun his quest to make atonement. Following an apology, he was named to the first team at Ipswich Town, where he scored 14 minutes after his return. Leeds eventually won 4-3. Since then, he has started both games and is back in Daniel Farke’s plans.

El Bilal-Toure

El Bilal-Toure had been on Everton’s radar all summer, but a trade always seemed to be just out of reach after Atalanta’s interest was confirmed. The Serie A club increased its chase of the striker as Manchester United’s interest in Rasmus Hojlund grew, and after that deal was completed, Atalanta had the cash needed to capture the Mali international. His move, a club record, has started disastrously, with the 21-year-old ruled out for some time after suffering a tendon injury during a friendly against Juventus.

Che Adams

Che Adams, who has been linked with a move to Everton on numerous occasions, appeared to be on his way to the Blues before the Beto deal was completed. He then appeared to be on his way to Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan, but the deal fell through, and he is still at Southampton. The striker’s retention at the south coast club has aided the team’s start to the season, with Adams scoring two late winners in the club’s first three Championship games. Adams scored with minutes remaining in normal time as Southampton defeated Sheffield Wednesday in the season opener, then left it even later to assist his team defeat

Kamaldeen Sulemana

Another target from relegated Southampton was Kamaldeen Sulemena, who almost joined the Blues when he moved to England in January but chose St Mary’s over Goodison Park. He was one of a few right wing prospects considered by the Blues, but he also stayed at Southampton. While his teammate Adams has had a successful start to the season, Sulemana has yet to appear in a Championship matchday squad this season due to a muscle ailment that hampered the end of his pre-season.