Shamar Nicholson never considered leaving Russian giants Spartak Moscow over the summer despite reported interest from Premier League outfit Everton, the striker’s agent tells Championat.
Standing at 6ft 4ins, the Jamaica international is certainly more Dominic Calvert-Lewin than Neal Maupay.
And with Everton’s England international enduring another injury-interrupted start to a season, Nicholson would have – had he joined the Toffees on deadline day – provided something of a stop-gap solution. An alternative to the more mobile Maupay until Calvert-Lewin is back to full fitness.
According to The Mirror, Everton made contact with Nicholson on the final day of the summer transfer window. But, according to the 25-year-old’s representative, a move away from the Russian capital was never on the cards.
Everton were never going to sign Spartak Moscow’s Shamar Nicholson
“The information that there were no worthy offers is also a lie. There were offers, but we did not even consider them,” explains Alexander Manyakov.
“Spartak made it clear that Shamar is not for sale. The club needs him to achieve great results this season. We respected and will respect this decision. If nothing changes in the future, he will stay in Moscow and do everything possible to win the league title with his team.
“When Nicholson first arrived, he promised that he would become a champion and win the Cup. Half of the mission was completed quickly. And the second continues until the plans of both sides change by mutual agreement.”
Nicholson provided five goals in 12 Russian Premier League games during the second half of last season, after joining Spartak Moscow from Charleroi in the winter. He is yet to open his account so far in 2022/23, however.
The same cannot be said of Maupay; the former Brighton hitman earning Everton their first win of the new campaign with a brilliant swivel-and-shot in the 1-0 triumph over underachieving West Ham United.
Everton could return to the market for a new number nine in January, with Salomon Rondon’s future uncertain. The seldom-seen Venezuelan may reportedly follow Allan to the Middle East (90Min).
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