Everton reportedly launched a late bid to sign Real Betis forward Ezzalzouli Abde, as per Catalan outlet Mundo Deportivo.
After moving to Benito Villamarín from Barcelona in 2023, the 24-year-old initially took time to settle into his new surroundings before showcasing his productivity last campaign.
In 43 appearances across all competitions, the Moroccan scored 15 goals and registered 10 assists. Moreover, he helped his side qualify for the Champions League.
Having proven his worth in club football, the forward secured his place in Morocco’s World Cup squad but eventually failed to feature due to an injury.
So, it appears that, after being impressed by Abde’s recent eye-catching performances, Everton expressed their interest in signing him.
Now, while citing and translating the print version of Mundo Deportivo, Sport Witness report that the Toffees launched a late proposal worth €43m[£37m], including bonuses, to buy the African. The bid consisted of a €35m guaranteed fee, with the remaining €8m made up of add-ons.
However, Los Verdiblancos rejected the offer as they didn’t want to let him leave for anything less than his €60m[£51m] release clause, with his existing deal set to run until 2029.
Abde to Everton
The report state that after seeing their opening bid rejected, the Merseyside club didn’t return with an improved offer. On the other hand, apart from Everton, Crystal Palace and Newcastle United were also interested in signing him.
Abde is an energetic right-footed left-winger but can provide cover on the opposite side if needed. He is quick, can dribble past opposition defenders in tight areas and works hard without possession.
The Real Betis star is a talented player and is set to enter the prime stage of his career. So, he would have been a shrewd acquisition for David Moyes’ side had they eventually managed to secure his services before the deadline.
Meanwhile, although Everton signed Brennan Johnson and Tyrique George early this summer to upgrade the frontline, they needed a new winger following Iliman Ndiaye’s move to Manchester City.
So, perhaps, Everton made a move for Abde, but after failing to sign…
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